Check 6

Security Forces Airmen check their six o’clock prior to a patrol during the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Clearing the chamber

A Security Forces Airman checks his weapon in the turret of a Humvee prior to a vehicle patrol during the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Danger crossing

Security Forces Airmen practice ‘danger crossing’ procedures during the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Back to base

(Left) Lt. Col. Scott Foley, the 633rd Security Forces Squadron commander, covers his squad’s return to camp after a simulated firefight during the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 27. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. Foley, the former commander of the 96th Security Forces Squadron was just one of more than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Look out

Airman 1st Class LaSondra Arredondo, of the 49th Security Forces Squadron, checks her right side during the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Hydrate

Senior Airman Heather Ignacek, of the 49th Security Forces Squadron, drinks from her canteen during a patrol at the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Aftermath

Reminders of the night’s firefight are still visible as Airman 1st Class Ryan Moulton, of the 49th Security Forces Squadron, checks his weapon before his patrol during the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Line in sight

Lt. Col. Scott Foley, the 633rd Security Forces Squadron commander, moves through the woods of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in search of a weapons cache during the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 27. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. Foley, the former commander of the 96th Security Forces Squadron was just one of more than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Tracking

Senior Airman Travis Turner, of the 49th Security Forces Squadron, takes notes regarding the movements of his squad during a patrol at the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Above & below

Airman 1st Class Dwayne Martin and another Airman from the 49th Security Forces Squadron, cover high and low as their squad moves across the road during a patrol at the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

COIN Op

Tech. Sgt. Jarrod Healy, a guardsman from the 114th Security Forces Squadron, was part of the first counter-insurgency operation of the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Check 6

Staff Sgt. Tyler Bassett, a guardsman from the 114th Security Forces Squadron, watches the six o’clock of his patrol during the first counter-insurgency operation of the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Interaction

Tech. Sgt. Kristopher King, a guardsman from the 114th Security Forces Squadron, interacts with a villager while on the first dismounted counter-insurgency operation of the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Vehicle inspection

Staff Sgt. Kyle Larson, of the 802nd Security Forces Squadron, checks around the edges of a vehicle for suspicious materials during an inspection at the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation, casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

COIN ops

Lt. Col. Scott Foley, the 633rd Security Forces Squadron commander, speaks with the village elder on the first dismounted counter-insurgency operation of the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation casualty care and more. Foley, the former commander of the 96th Security Forces Squadron, was just one of more than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen to attend this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Guardsmen

A dismounted patrol stops outside of their camp while on their first counter-insurgency operation of the three-day Brave Defender field training exercise April 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise is the culmination of Air Force Materiel Command’s six-week security forces deployment training, administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors teach 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care and more. More than 100 active-duty and National Guard Airmen attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bloody masterpiece

Eric Alexander (left) and others became ‘bloody’ realistic victims for an April 19 mass casualty exercise thanks to the 96th Medical Group’s moulage team. The team turned more than 40 volunteers into ‘horror movie’ realistic victims of an aircraft fire. The team’s “art” provides a sense of realism in exercises that medics and first responders may encounter in real-world accidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Blood stained

A ‘victim’ waits for more gore to be applied to his face and body prior to a mass casualty exercise April 19. The 96th Medical Group moulage team turned more than 40 volunteers into ‘horror movie’ realistic victims of an aircraft fire. The team’s “art” provides a sense of realism in exercises that medics and first responders may encounter in real-world accidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wounded warrior

Staff Sgt. Edward Borges, of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, has a large bloody gash placed onto his arm prior to a mass casualty exercise April 19. The 96th Medical Group moulage team turned more than 40 volunteers into ‘horror movie’ realistic victims of an aircraft fire. The team’s “art” provides a sense of realism in exercises that medics and first responders may encounter in real-world accidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bloody art

A 96th Medical Group moulage team member creates blood spatter on a volunteer prior to a mass casualty exercise April 19. The moulage team turned more than 40 volunteers into ‘horror movie’ realistic victims of an aircraft fire. The team’s “art” provides a sense of realism in exercises that medics and first responders may encounter in real-world accidents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Easy does it

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Scott, an emergency medical technician with the 96th Medical Group, and Eglin firefighters move a victim of a simulated aircraft fire onto a stretcher during a mass casualty exercise at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport April 19. The scenario called for emergency units from Eglin, Okaloosa County and the airport to respond to an aircraft on fire containing more than 40 passengers. Response, communication and accountability were among many procedures under evaluation at the exercise. Inside the airport, employees were tested on their response to an influx of friends and family members looking for information about the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration mandates this type of major accident exercise execution every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Medical Ethics and Law Symposium

Joseph Procaccino, the legal advisor to the Air Force Surgeon General, briefs values of human life at the annual Medical Ethics and Law Symposium April 11 at the Eglin Enlisted Hall. Subject matter experts from Washington D.C. discussed medical ethics, patient relations and lessons learned from previous medical malpractice. The other speakers were Eric Israel, the deputy chief of the medical law branch and Meghan Snide, the chief risk manager of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Classes in session

Staff Sgt. Guin Duprey I, of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, Fla., familiarizes himself with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter using the desktop virtual-reality aircraft systems maintenance trainer, as well as a laptop loaded with joint technical data that is used for flight line operations. The 17-day weapons familiarization class was the first-ever weapons course completed since Eglin’s F-35 Academic Training Center began commencement of formal training Mar 19. The ATC is a first-of-its-kind facility for F-35 pilot and maintenance training and uses a cascading style of learning using computers and hands-on equipment to build upon skills. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

Class in session

Senior Airman Derek Torres, of the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., familiarizes himself with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter using the desktop virtual-reality aircraft systems maintenance trainer, as well as a laptop loaded with joint technical data used for flight line operations. The 17-day weapons familiarization class was the first-ever weapons course completed since Eglin’s F-35 Academic Training Center began commencement of formal training Mar 19. The ATC is a first-of-its-kind facility for F-35 pilot and maintenance training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)