Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy takes aim at a target inside a building with a “simunition” loaded M-249 during his tour of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s training area at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy dons his helmet before taking a ride in the humvee roll-over simulator during his tour of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s training area at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. During the simulation, the chief flipped three times before the vehicle stopped. Then he and his team had to climb out while the vehicle was still upside down. The chief also received other hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Staff Sgt. Geovanii Pacheco, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, leads his team out of the building as part of a assault demonstration by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The demonstration was for Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy during his tour of the squadron facilities at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Todd Coning, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, briefs Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy on the squadron’s mission and particular scenarios taught by its instructors at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy receives a hands-on experience of a vehicle roll-over in the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s simulator at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. During the simulation, the chief flipped three times before the vehicle stopped. Then he and his team had to climb out while the vehicle was still upside down. As part of his 96th GCTS tour, the chief also experienced firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy (middle left) and members of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, salute the flag during retreat May 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The chief toured the squadron’s training facilities and experienced hands-on demonstrations like firing weapons and driving a humvee in a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
A humvee leaves a trail of dust as it moves toward a village as part of a assault demonstration by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The demonstration was for Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy during his tour of the squadron facilities at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Master Sgt. Todd Coning, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, briefs Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy on the squadron’s mission and particular scenarios taught by its instructors at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. He also literally “flipped” when he took a ride in the humvee roll-over simulator. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy speaks to Staff Sgt. Ivan Morscher and other 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron Airmen during his tour of their training area at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Humvees roll into the Base Tango village as part of a assault demonstration by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The demonstration was for Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy during his tour of the squadron facilities at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Staff Sgt. Ivan Morscher, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, briefs Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy on a specially equipped M-4 during his tour of the squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Staff Sgt. Geovanii Pacheco, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, leads his team out of the building as part of a assault demonstration by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The demonstration was for Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy during his tour of the squadron facilities at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy sights in his target with a specially equipped M-4 rifle at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. Checking out the newest weaponry was part of the chief’s tour of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The chief took part in “Brave Defender” interactive tour firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy exits one of the houses in a simulated village during his tour of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s training area at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
5/10/2011 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy received a hands-on tour of Air Force Materiel Command's "Brave Defender" training area here, May 6.
Brave Defender is a three-week deployment training course for security forces Airmen. The training is hosted by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. This training squadron is one of only four in the Air Force.
As soon as the chief arrived, "action" was on set as two humvees rolled into a simulated village. Turret gunners went "weapons free" with their M-249s as the vehicles kicked up a dust and sand cloud.
The defenders exited the vehicles and entered one of the buildings under the cover of a yellow smoke grenade as the chief looked on. The fire team exited the building with its target ending the scenario and receiving applause from the CMSAF.
Next, Chief Roy viewed the latest weapons being used in combat and within the Brave Defender course. He expressed a great appreciation for firearms and quizzed the defenders on the latest attachments and specifications.
"The chief was very interested in the combination day/night sight for the M-203 grenade launcher," said Staff Sgt. Ivan Moscher, 96th GCTS instructor. "I explained that it was a laser and infra-red site with an accuracy of up to three meters."
Sergeant Moscher also briefed Chief Roy about simulated munitions or "simunitions" and their accuracy and effects. The sergeant explained that simunitions produce less recoil on the weapon, but still provide reliable accuracy.
The chief would put Sergeant Moscher's statement to the test. Master Sgt. Todd Coning, 96th GCTS flight chief, had an M-9 and M-249 loaded with simunition rounds ready for target practice. The chief didn't hesitate, taking the opportunity to fire both weapons.
After emptying a few clips on target, Chief Roy got behind the wheel of a humvee to drive through the Defenders' improvised explosive device course. Most of the way through the simulated village, machine gun sounds and explosions rang out. The chief's vehicle filled with smoke and his team had to evacuate.
"We want to provide the students with an idea of what real combat is like prior to their deployment," said Staff Sgt. Eric Testerman, an IED instructor with the 96th GCTS.
Then it was on to the humvee roll-over simulator where Chief Roy, once again in the driver's seat, experienced a roll-over scenario. The simulator flipped three times before resting on its roof. The chief and his team had to climb out as quickly as possible.
After the simulation, Chief Roy thanked the defenders for a "highly interactive" tour and asked if they had questions for him.
They expressed concerns ranging from budget cuts, economy, officer opportunities and the Air Force role in Afghanistan. The chief provided his perspective before joining the defenders to salute the flag during the playing of retreat.
He left them with a few words about their families.
"We as military members sacrifice a lot as do each and every member of our families," Chief Roy said. "Make sure to tell them and, if possible, show them how much they are appreciated."
