FAST training

Air Force Airman 1st Class Stephen Buesing and Air Force Airman 1st Class Darren Joyner, 86th Security Forces Squadron members, practice flyaway security team ground combat training Dec. 07, 2011, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The F.A.S.T specialize in military teams that are in support of contingencies, theater security operation events, humanitarian and civic assistance projects, AEF deployments, and military operations other than war. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Willis)

FAST training

Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Whiting, 435th Security Forces Squadron Creek Defender instructor, demonstrates modified army combative technique to Belgian Army Sgt. Dennis Berkmans during a flyaway security team practice session on Dec. 07, 2011, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As part of the 435th wing's Contingency Response Group, the 435th SFS contributes to the group's "open the base" mission, as well as expeditionary combat support training through the USAFE Security Forces Regional Training Center's Creek Defender course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Willis)

FAST training

Airmen from the 86th Security Forces and members of the Belgium Army practice modified combative techniques during the flyaway security team training session provided by the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Dec. 07, 2011, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The F.A.S.T specialize in military teams that are in support of contingencies, theater security operation events, humanitarian and civic assistance projects, AEF deployments, and military operations other than war. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Willis)

435th SFS provide unique training for Belgian Air Force

Published Dec. 12, 2011
By Senior Airman Katherine Holt
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Instructors from the 435th Security Forces Squadron Regional Training Center conducted a fly away security team training course for 12 Airmen from the 86th SFS and seven Belgians from the Belgian Air Component here, Dec. 5-9.

FAST Teams usually consist of two to four person teams of specially trained and equipped security forces personnel deployed to provide security for both aircrew and aircraft while stopped in high-threat areas around the globe. In addition, FAST Teams often conduct airfield assessments and advise mission commanders on threats when not performing their primary duty of protecting an Air Force asset.

This is the first time the FAST course has been conducted with members of the Belgian Air Component. The course offers training that prepares both U.S., and in this case Belgian, service members skills they will need for possible deployments in Afghanistan and other hot spots around the globe.

"Training like the FAST course strengthens relations between the U.S. Air Force and the Belgian Air Component," said Capt. Michael Wetlesen, 435th SFS RTC operations officer. "They will go back to their unit and use this information to build their own program."

"FAST's primary mission is to provide security for an aircraft and personnel while in a location where security has been deemed inadequate," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Weisel, 435th SFS RTC instructor.

"We are working to create our own Raven program in the Belgian Air Force," said 2nd Lt. Philippe Marquet, Belgian Air Force First Expeditionary Force Protection Squadron. "This training has given us insight to the Raven concept and the procedures and mission planning that come with it."

The course consisted of an Air Force physical training test, verbal judo, self-defense ground fighting techniques, expandable baton training, anti-hijacking and flight deck denial.

The Belgians, whose Air Component numbers nearly 10,000, learned a lot and will likely come back in the future with more Belgians to go through the course.

"We learned so much working with the Americans," said Marquet. "We had a cadre from different units and headquarters who will take their knowledge and experience to other members of our air force."

"It was a great experience to train with an Allied nation," said Weisel. "It was very enjoyable training, with the Belgians; they were eager to learn and are in top physical condition."

The 435th SFS is one of three Air Force security forces units in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, but the only one assigned to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing headquartered at Ramstein. As part of the wing's Contingency Response Group, the 435th SFS contributes to the group's "open the base" mission, as well as providing expeditionary combat support training through USAFE's Security Forces RTC's "Creek Defender".