Grissom Airmen deploy for Patriot Defender Published Jan. 22, 2007 By Senior Airman Ben Mota 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind -- Forty-one members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing are attending a training exercise called Patriot Defender at Camp Swift, Texas. Thirty-six 434th Security Forces Squadron members will participate in the two week exercise designed to refresh basic security skills. The exercise gives individuals who have not deployed the opportunity to experience what it is like if they were in a combat environment said Master Sgt. Tony Cochran, a security response team leader, and one of the individuals attending the exercise. The training is set up in three phases. During the first phase of classroom training, students refresh skills ranging from vehicle searches and weapons training to land navigation and convoy operations. One of the training tools during the first phase is a virtual convoy operations trainer, provided by the Texas Army National Guard. Using virtual reality, the high-tech trainer allows up to nine students at a time to navigate a virtual convoy down enemy streets. In the second phase Airman begin to train in building clearing, squad movements and building defense in an urban environment. At the end of this training period Airmen are given the practical exercise of clearing and securing a building occupied by opposing forces played by the training cadre. The next morning, roles are reversed and the students set up defenses to protect their building. In the final phase, a three-day field training exercise will focus on patrol, convoy and main defensive line tactics. The students apply lessons learned to accomplish the missions on their daily operations order, while at the same time guarding themselves and their base against attacks. In addition to the security forces, members from the 434th Services Flight will provide meal support, breakfast and supper, for approximately 150 security forces from a kitchen at the camp, said Tech. Sgt Cinthia Webb, a services specialist. Services will also set up and run several recreation activities such as running movies, card tournaments, and other activities still to be determined. The training is scheduled to end on Feb 10
