Page 2 - Desert Lightning News 5-29-15

2 May 29, 2015 Desert Lightning News

ANGEL THUNDER’S Non-conventional Assisted

Recovery in Flagstaff

NEWS ANGEL THUNDER partici- During this timeframe, on ers, as well as businesses and the participants are training.
pants will conduct Personnel the outskirts of Flagstaff, the non-profit agencies in the local The ANGEL THUNDER
rescue exercises using Non- local community may see res- community. Some of these, like
conventional Assisted Recov- cue helicopters conducting re- the Salvation Army, Humane committee and participants
ery (NAR) techniques in Flag- coveries of isolated personnel Society, and Flagstaff Family would like to thank the resi-
staff, June 1-13. in simulated austere environ- Food Center will receive vol- dents of Flagstaff for their co-
ments. Rescue forces will use unteer help with projects while operation and continued sup-
ANGEL THUNDER is the the relationships they devel- port of the Air Force mission.
world’s largest personnel re- oped during initial planning to
covery exercise hosted by Da- help facilitate the rescue train-
vis-Monthan Air Force Base ing mission. Flagstaff residents
in Tucson Ariz. It is supported might see rescue personnel
by 12 nation-partners and over walking through the streets or
3,000 personnel. networking with locals, this is
all part of the exercise.
NAR is a recovery tactic
used in contested environ- The U.S. Air Force coordi-
ments when no U.S. military nated the ANGEL THUNDER
presence is available to support NAR training missions with
a rescue mission. This skillset Flagstaff law enforcement of-
will be trained as one of the 2-4 ficials, city leadership, Co-
day missions during this year’s conino County Commission-
ANGEL THUNDER exercise.

162nd Airmen participate in Pima Regional SWAT training

Senior Airman Jackson Hurd

162nd Wing Public Affairs

The last week of SWAT training took place at the Pima County

Regional Officer Training Center and Airmen of the 162nd Wing

trained alongside Tucson law enforcement personnel.

The SWAT training program provides local law enforcement

with the necessary knowledge and skills to one day become part of

the Pima Regional SWAT team.

During the first two weeks of training, law enforcement person-

nel learn to use firearms while wearing SWAT equipment, learn

about the legal aspects of SWAT and various missions. The last

week of training includes hostage rescue scenarios, vehicle assaults,

barricaded subjects, grappling as well as other challenging tasks.

This time two Airmen, Staff Sgt. Louis Duran Tech Sgt. Samm-

uel Alanis, members of the 162nd Wing Security Forces Squadron, (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jackson Hurd)
joined the team for the last week of training.
Airmen of the 162nd Wing and local law enforcement personnel participated in an an-
They were tested on their ability to think clearly and judge a situ- nual SWAT training course in Tucson. Tech. Sgt. Sam Alanis and Staff Sgt. Louis Duran
ation as quickly as possible. A hostage scenario is unpredictable from the Security Forces Squadron experienced what it takes to be a part of the Pima
Regional SWAT team.

and the Airmen experienced this situation for the first time. the new people coming through.”
“The very high tempo keeps you on your toes and keeps you To become part of a SWAT team takes a minimum of three years

thinking at all times,” said Duran. “I definitely have to think outside of on the job experience along with tests of physical endurance,
of the box to determine my best options for dealing with a poten- shooting ability, several scenarios and an oral board.
tially deadly situation.”
Duran says that the training he received is a great asset for the
The SWAT course provides the basics of what it takes to become 162nd Wing. He now possesses the ability to quickly assess a life
a team member. The course is designed as an introduction to and or death situation and plans on sharing that knowledge with other

is the first step to becoming part of the Pima Regional SWAT team. members of security forces.

“It’s a lengthy and rigorous process to become a part of this team,” “We evaluate individuals on every mission the SWAT team per-

said SWAT training instructor Sgt. Michael Canizales who has ten forms,” said Pima Regional Swat Supervisor Sgt. Gary Stengel. “The

years of experience. “I hope that I can teach as well as I have been most important aspect of this training is for everyone to be able to

taught and I hope that I can forward everything that I’ve learned to use the skills they’ve learned in their law enforcement careers.”