First-ever ALS field training exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess’ Airman Leadership School launched a first-in-the-Air-Force 14-hour field training exercise June 16 in order for students to implement the combat leadership skills they learn in the classroom in a simulated-deployed location. 

The FTX, held at “Sseyd Air Base” (Dyess spelled backwards), required coordination with security forces, explosive ordnance disposal technicians, medics, and others, and was very successful, said Master Sgt. Brian Huber, ALS flight chief. 

“This is the first time an ALS has done something like this,” Sergeant Huber said. “We know that in a combat situation there could be one senior officer or non-commissioned officer in charge. If they’re taken out somehow, it’s up to the next in line to take the reigns – and that’s gonna be a NCO or maybe a senior airman. ALS is training senior airmen to become NCOs, and combat training is becoming necessary in a more expeditionary Air Force.” 

The exercise began after a full day of ALS activities. At 6 p.m., students gathered their weapons and “deployed” to the cantonment area, where they were required to set up camp, assume defensive fighting positions, establish sleep and guard schedules, and ultimately defend against ALS instructors, who were constantly aggressing their camp.
 
“It was ‘game on’ from the moment we got there,” said Senior Airman Teri Barreno, 7th Operations Support Squadron. “We just went from one scenario to another. They aggressed us from different parts of the cantonment area, trying to take out our intelligence folks. One of our leaders was captured right away. We had to use a lot of teamwork to keep from getting wiped out.” 

Senior Airman Ryan Beard, 7th Component Maintenance Squadron, said they also had a number of improvised explosive devices they had to report. They also had to practice some self-aid buddy care, secure the buildings, and really take their time to make sure they didn’t set off trip wires. 

“It was a good experience to see what other branches of the military have to go through all the time in the field,” Airman Beard said. “We got to see where the future of the Air Force is going when we start to deploy with the Army to the areas of responsibility. Our main goal tonight was to find the enemy and capture and kill them.” 

Most of the students agreed the overall experience was good, although because it was the first go-around there were some rough edges. 

“A few times throughout the night, we realized the rules we’d established in the classroom were faulty, so we corrected them immediately and pressed forward with more value added,” Sergeant Huber said. “At first, we were able to break into the camp very easily, but as the night went by it became harder and harder for us to penetrate the perimeter. They improved greatly in their communication skills. This was a test run – we’re not ready for prime time, but we’re getting there.” 

He said the 7th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD folks did an especially great job at making the scenario realistic. 

“Staff Sgt. Ryan Oliver set up ground burst simulations, grenades, and all sorts of explosives that really contributed to the combat atmosphere,” Sergeant Huber said. “Without the help we got from EOD and the 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron, which provided us with weapons we used, we never could have made this so realistic.”
 
The ALS falls under the oversight of Lt. Col. Anne Marie Fenton, 7th Mission Support Squadron commander, and she said the work Sergeant Huber put into this FTX was simply phenomenal, and necessary for today’s Air Force. 

“As you know, ALS is the first level of professional military education Airmen receive before they become NCOs,” she said. “This FTX gives Airmen the chance to put into practice the skills they’ve learned in the last five weeks in the classroom. I can imagine a time when this will be a permanent part of ALS curriculum – it’s a natural marriage.”
 
Many of our Airmen are deploying in non-traditional duties, she said. The Air Force has services troops deploying with the Army, cops out with the Marines, and logistics and readiness troops doing convoy and escort duties. They’re being confronted by “no-kidding combat situations,” where there may not be an entire team in place, and it’s necessary to take these combat skills into deployments. 

“We need to be ready, willing and able to deal with anything that comes up,” Colonel Fenton said. “You can’t be sitting around after an IED explosion, saying ‘What just happened?’ – you’ve got to be ready beforehand.” 

“This is long overdue,” said Command Chief Master Sgt. Paul Wheeler, 7th Bomb Wing command chief. 

“We’ve talked about this in the PME world, and it’s obvious it’s needed,” he said. “Look for example at basic training – they’re being issued weapons now, not learning how to fold T-shirts. In the expeditionary environment of today’s Air Force, I would be willing to bet other bases will soon follow suit and implement this training into their ALS as well.” 

“I’d do it again, any time,” Airman Beard said. “It’s great to get the hands-on experience, and they didn’t spare us from anything out there – we had rats, snakes, coyotes, bugs and all kinds of things out there – it was good, dirty fun.”