Page 9 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, April 30, 2021

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Nellis Defenders ramp up training Nellis marks Earth Day with trash clean-up

The 99th Civil Engineer Squadron led a trash clean-
by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young street drugs that we don’t usually have access to,” said up at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to celebrate the 51st
Nellis AFB, Nev. Tech. Sgt. Matthew Halligan, 99th SFS kennel master. Earth Day.
“With joint training, we are building a network of The event focused on raising awareness about the
The 99th Security Forces Squadron at Nellis Air Force cooperation where everyone benefits. One team can local environment as participants cleared the Area III
Base, Nev., continues to modify and advance its training offer a different training environment, while another Conservation Area.
to prepare for potential threats and effectively protect can provide the training tools.”
Nellis and its neighboring communities. Tasked with training base personnel, security forces
In addition to consistent proficiency and readiness and deploying units on weapon systems fundamen-
exercises, the 99th SFS has been actively seeking special- tals, 99th combat arms instructors Staff. Sgt. Stephen
ized training to further develop its Airmen and bolster Buesing and Staff Sgt. Gregory Tomala scouted teaching
the squadron’s fitness. techniques from fellow law enforcement instructors.
“The Air Force and joint community are evolving “In this class, I learned a small twist in handgun
with emerging threats, so our training must also evolve,” gripping technique that allows you to fire faster and
said Master Sgt. James Burns, 99th SFS training non- more accurately,” said Staff. Sgt. Stephen Buesing, 99th
commissioned officer in charge and Tactical Response SFS combat arms instructor. “We are always looking to
Team program manager. “We are sending our Airmen better ourselves and our students, so the feedback we
to receive the best training available so they can bring bring back from these classes is invaluable.”
back that knowledge and experience to our squadron.” Buesing and Tomala also recently received two weeks
Burns and members of the 99th SFS Tactical Response of advanced long-range sniper training alongside U.S. Senior Airman Wesley Stumbaugh, 99th Security Forces
Team recently participated in Multi-Assault Counter Ter- Army Green Berets in Idaho. Squadron tactical response team member, enters a room
rorism Action Capabilities training with Nevada police “We have the confidence that if we have an active under smoke cover during a training exercise at Nellis Air
and fire departments, members of Homeland Security shooter or a situation where a long-range precision shot Force Base, Nev., April 7, 2021. TRT members are required to A Nellis Air Force Base volunteer puts on her gloves in
Investigations and various participating government is needed, our Airmen will hit the target and take down attend Special Response Team training, where they focus preparation to pick up garbage for the Area III Conservation
agencies. that threat effectively,” said Buesing. on marksmanship and high-risk incident response such as Area clean effort to celebrate Earth Day at Nellis Air Force
MACTAC developed students to be capable of im- The 99th SFS has also begun the process of ordering terrorist incidents, barricaded incidents, drug raids, high- Base, Nev., April 17, 2021. Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
mediately deploying, locating and neutralizing violent and upgrading weapons systems for their Defenders, in- risk warrant apprehensions and active-shooter scenarios. Service is evaluating the Las Vegas bear poppy and a closely
assaults and/or terrorist acts. Groups trained in small- cluding assault and sniper rifles and grenade launchers. tied pollinator, the Mojave poppy bee, for possible listing
unit tactics, building clearing, officer-down procedures “The goal of our squadron is to be self-sufficient and under the Endangered Species Act.
and coordinating rally points, all in preparing for future self-defending,” said Buesing. “We want to make sure
threats. that our Airmen have the best equipment to protect our
“We trained together, so we will all be on the same assets and personnel.”
page if an incident occurred on or off base,” said Burns. Staying in lockstep with their squadron’s emphasis
“We all know the same tactics, same verbiage; so, when on training, in the near future, two SFS Airmen will be
it’s time to respond, we can simply execute.” attending the Las Vegas Metro Police Department acad-
In conjunction with joint training, the 99th SFS K-9 emy’s 24-week training course. This will allow them to
Military Working Dog unit recently hosted the Nevada observe how their civilian counterparts operate. In turn, Air Force photographs by 1st Lt. Nicolle E. Mathison
Highway Patrol and members of The Venetian Resort these Airmen will relay and teach those lessons at home Nellis Air Force Base volunteers dig up and roll away tires
K-9 security team to improve synergy and strengthen to improve the squadron as a law enforcement unit. to the dumpster during an Area III Conservation Area clean
their working relationship. “Every training our Airmen attend allows them to up at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 17, 2021. Volunteers
Dog teams each took turns searching aircraft and get a little bit better,” said Burns. “They make small filled two 20 yard dumpsters with debris left in the Area III
vehicles at the Nellis Threat Facility for explosives and gains and refine the techniques we taught them, and no Conservation Area.
drugs, while instructors observed and offered guidance. matter how tiny, those incremental changes are what 99th Security Forces Squadron tactical response team
“For this training, Nevada Highway Patrol brought makes the difference when someone’s life is on the line.” members clear a building during a training exercise at Nellis
Staff Sgt. Isaac Air Force Base, Nev., April 7, 2021. In this training scenario,
Bourque and Staff an individual barricaded himself in a building and had
Sgt. Charles Pope, taken hostages. The TRT objectives were to breach the
9 9 th S e cu r i t y building and methodically clear rooms until they identified
Forces Squadron and neutralized the threat. Then, Nellis Fire Department
military working Airmen responded to remove and provide treatment to
do g handler s , injured hostages. Fifteen Nellis Air Force Base volunteers pick up debris
demonstrate a K-9 to celebrate Nellis’ 51st Earth Day during an Area III
assisted capture of Conservation Area clean up at Nellis AFB, Nev., April 17,
a suspect at Nellis 2021. Volunteers filled two 20 yard dumpsters with debris
Air Force Base, left in the Area III Conservation Area.
Nev., April 13, 2021.
Security forces Anna Johnson, 99th Civil Engineering Squadron Natural
Airmen train for 12 Resource program manager, places litter into a garbage
weeks to become bag during an Area III Conservation Area cleanup at Nellis
military working Air Force Base, Nev., April 17, 2021. Johnson led the clean-up
dog handlers and effort to prepare the area for the installation of a boardwalk
maintain a vigorous system of trails in celebration of Nellis’ 51st Earth Day.
on-the-job training Staff Sgt. Gregory Tomala, 99th Security Forces Squadron
s ch e du l e t o combat arms instructor, looks through the sight of an LEFT: Trentyn Brock sorts through debris to find recyclable
increase efficiency M24 Sniper rifle at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 7, 2021. items during an Area III Conservation Area clean up at
and strengthen Combat arms instructors are responsible for training The 99th Civil Engineering Squadron Environmental Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 17, 2021. A future goal for
the relationship base personnel, security forces and deploying units on assessments chief Russell Collins, prepares refreshments the area is to install a boardwalk system of trails. This will
between the dog firearms fundamentals. They also provide maintenance and for volunteers during an Area III Conservation clean up allow Nellis AFB residents a clean area to walk, jog, bike
Air Force photographs by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young and handler. inspections to ensure weapons are serviceable. at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 17, 2021. and view wildlife, while protecting the fragile soils.