KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 403rd Security Forces Squadron participated in improvised explosive devices awareness and entry control points training here June 4 during the 403rd Wing Unit Training Assembly to stay proficient and mission ready.
The training focused on identifying IEDs, setting up ECPs, and securely searching vehicles, said Michael Barron, a senior consultant with the Counter IED Integration Cell at Camp Shelby.
“Common everyday items can be used to cause harm; this training helps identify those things,” said Barron.
The reservists were able to get experience recognizing replicas of home-made IEDs from current domestic and foreign terrorist events. One of the many explosives they handled was a replica from the bomb used in the Boston Marathon bombing. Another IED was a reproduction from a local bombing attempt in Biloxi where an explosive was found under a car, said Barron.
Members participated in exercises that allowed them to play out different scenarios where they identified threats during a vehicle search without putting themselves and others in harm’s way.
“For Airmen who haven’t deployed, to receive pre-deployment training handling these situations with IED’s and threats, this was the first time (for them to receive) training of this kind that was hands-on, outside of the computer-based training they do annually,” said Staff Sgt. Rachel Harris, 403rd SFS fire team member. “This teaches nothing can be taken for granted, and to keep your eyes open.”