Defenders hold Controlled FORCE training

By Staff Report, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published October 12, 2018

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Airman 1st Class Anthony Bustamante, 21st Security Forces Squadron entry controller, practices drawing his weapon during the Controlled First Official Response and Critical Environments close quarter tactics and weapons training course at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 9, 2018. Bustamante and other military and civilian law enforcement members spent the afternoon training in fundamental techniques such as proper firearms stance and suspect detainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kathryn Calvert)

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Senior Airman Marlon Delgado, 50th Security Forces Squadron response force leader, redirects an attack during the Controlled First Official Response and Critical Environments close quarter tactics and weapons training course at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 9, 2018. Delgado and others took turns acting as suspect and detainer to fine-tune reaction times and prepare for various scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kathryn Calvert)

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Staff Sgt. Derek Halverson and Senior Airman Luis Salinas, both 50th Security Forces Squadron response force leaders, practice takedown techniques during the Controlled First Official Response and Critical Environments close quarter tactics and weapons training course at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 9, 2018. The training course was developed to sharpen security forces, military police and local law enforcement member’s skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kathryn Calvert)

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.-- --

Defenders hosted a two week Controlled FORCE training for approximately 25 Front Range security forces and local law enforcement participants at various locations on Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 1-12.

The 50th Security Forces Squadron led the training event for the Front Range to ensure personal and team proficiency in close quarter combat, small team tactics and weapons proficiency training in close quarter situations.

Nicholas Cassiano, lead instructor, conducted the training and encouraged participants to fully engage.

“Don’t be nervous,” he said. “They go through a lot of reps, a lot of drills. They take you through it step by step, it’s progressive training.”

Training ran Monday through Friday, typically from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m, with a new group of students starting the following Monday.

Participants appreciated the training opportunity, feeling it enhanced their skillset.

“It was not so much something different but it was an add on to training we previously had,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Burdick, evaluator with the 50th SFS.

Instructors enjoyed the training as well.

“We went over difference aspects of training and just seeing them evolve from questioning stuff to actually enjoying it by the end,” Cassiano said.

“We went through a lot of muscle memory and then it kicked in almost immediately and I was able to neutralize the situation faster than if I had not had training such as this,” Burdick said.

“I enjoy training,” Cassiano said. “I enjoy showing these skill sets to people that will save their lives and others at the same time.”

This is just one example of local law enforcement partnering to better support community members. Security forces has mutual aid agreements in place to respond to incidents near the base upon request. Additionally, 50th SFS hosts other training opportunities to include this SWAT training held last year: https://www.schriever.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1279492/swat-team-practices-real-world-scenarios/.