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.)