An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News Search

Killer credentials: Special Ops Airmen receive new combat skills

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacia Zachary
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Never underestimate an opponent - especially when he is a life-size G.I. Joe trained to disarm, maim or kill with his bare hands. Fourteen tactical air control party Airmen, three combat weathermen and one flight surgeon underwent a close combat instructor course led by three Marines from the Martial Art Center of Excellence. 

Looking to better prepare its Airmen for the ever-changing tempo of real-world operations, the 18th Air Support Operations Group has enlisted the help of their sister service, the Marine Corps, to make themselves stronger and more war-fit. 

"The 18th ASOG is trying to implement a program that teaches hand-to-hand combat while also developing a warrior ethos that will prepare a person for battlefield environments and in daily work environments," said Tech. Sgt. Joel Decker, 18th Weather Squadron. 

"The Marines were chosen because they are the best at being prepared on one-on-one combat situations." 

As a TAC-P or combat weatherman, individuals receive survival school training and additional training based on mission needs. By incorporating the close combat training, these Airmen now have a greater advantage over their enemy and hostile environments. 

"This training teaches us to be more alert in any given situation," said Tech. Sgt. J. Gaona, 18th WS. 

"The instructors put us in situations geared to make us think about how we would react in combat situations. In many ways, this training has taught us to recognize our limitations and learn how to push past them." 

The training incorporated many teamwork elements. The basic principle is you are only as strong as your weakest link. The end goal was to make the weakest link as strong as the most elite. 

"Never leave anyone behind -- in combat scenarios, this mindset could be the difference between saving an entire platoon or mission failure," said Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Shane Franklin, MACE Senior noncommissioned officer in charge. 

The TAC-P and combat weatherman specialties are special operations careers; these Airmen often find themselves in precarious situations with little to no back up. As such, this training is also tailored to the Airman who finds himself alone, at risk and in a combat situation. 

"This training will teach the Air Force mental character development as well as the tools to maintain security operations and how to react in different wartime environments," said Marine Corps Sgt. Shane Lavalette, MACE instructor and third degree black belt.
With the war now being waged not in environment but in cities, the Airmen will require more individual defensive training. 

"The battlefield has changed from open terrain to urban operations," said Sergeant Lavalette. 

"There are now 'three block wars' going on -- one street will have troops handing out Meals Ready-to-Eat and two blocks down there will be combat operations underway. This program will train a person to go from one spectrum of violence to another." 

The TAC-Ps and combat weathermen help bridge the gap between joint operations. In many circumstances, these battlefield Airmen operate in combat situations alone. 

"These (Airmen) are more ground oriented and the likelihood of them encountering the enemy empty handed and only able to rely on bare force defense techniques is significantly higher," said Sergeant Lavalette. 

"Given the techniques we can teach them, hopefully we can supply them with a new arsenal of survival skills and get the mission completed." 

Once the 18 Airmen complete this training, they will be certified instructors. The intent is to not only teach them to be self-sufficient in combat situations but also to train other individuals. 

"Once a person completes the training, (the Airmen) should incorporate skills into a weekly routine in order to stay fresh," said Sergeant Lavalette. 

"A good way to do this is to make it a part of their physical training." 

As true-to-life G.I. Joes, these Airmen are ready to face the ever-changing wartime environments with their newly acquired hand-to-hand close combat skills.