Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Security Airmen Enhance Capabilities during Fly-Away Security Team Training

02 October 2015

From Staff Sgt. Christopher Stoltz

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Airmen from the 647th Security Forces Squadron recently completed a five-day Air Force Fly-Away Security Team training, or FAST, on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Sept. 21 through 25.

FAST provides forward-deploying Airmen the opportunity to enhance specific skills in the areas of security, mission planning, threat assessments and combatives. The training intertwines various skill sets and teaches selectees how to be security police, ambassadors, and humanitarians at the same time.

Missions requiring FAST members can vary from carrying hazardous materials, personnel under control, medical units and mission-essential personnel. When flights travel to forward operating bases with limited airfield security, the FAST members play a vital role in protecting Air Force assets.

The five-day training provided the attendees with knowledge in mission planning, security tactics, aircraft familiarization, cross-cultural immersion and communication skills and combatives training.

The training culminated in a situational training exercise, where participating Airmen were required to demonstrate their capabilities in real-time, which required them to respond and react to different scenarios, ranging from simple verbal exercises to having to fend off (and escape from) simulated terrorist attacks.

In most instances, the Airmen would utilize a form of de-escalation during exercises, with hopes of easing tensions between the Air Force and the simulated-host nation.

"One of the skills these Airmen learn during the course is the use of verbal judo," said Staff Sgt. Kyle Huppert, 647th SFS FAST coordinator. "It is a way for Airman to use communication as a means of de-escalating a situation, as opposed to weaponry."

Huppert said Airmen may come across situations throughout their careers which can simply be handled with developed-communication skills. He said the Airmen were also tested in their abilities to improvise and act thoughtfully in situations that didn't allow much time for decision making.

"This is a very important tool for our Airmen to have," Huppert said. "As police officers, we may come across certain situations that can escalate or de-escalate in a matter of seconds. We need to be prepared to make a quick decision, one which could either save someone's life or potentially end it."

One Airman who agrees with Huppert is Senior Airman Jesse Johnson, 647th SFS patrolman. He said although the training is meant to be stressful in nature, he knows he will be a better defender after the training. He also said he was excited about his future in the Air Force, as FAST will open doors and provides him opportunities to serve in an array of locations.

"I think FAS training enhances our capabilities," Johnson said. "I feel the training, especially learning 'verbal judo,' is going to help us overcome potential high-stress situations we may come across while in other nations. Furthermore, it provides Airmen the opportunity to visit and serve in the many unique locations throughout the [Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility] and it is exciting to think of the places I could go."