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U.S. Air Force A1C Jesse Antal, 366th Security Forces Squadron response force member, assembles a M4A1 carbine August 16, 2019, at the off-base small arms range near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Assembling the M4A1 carbine is a requirement to join the EST. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Natalie Rubenak)

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U.S. Air Force A1C Jesse Antal, 366th Security Forces Squadron response force member, and U.S. Air Force SrA Ian Roland, 366th SFS patrolman, practice a weapon retention drill August 16, 2019, at the off-base small arms range near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The weapon retention portion of the assessment requires the candidate to keep the opposition from obtaining the weapon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Natalie Rubenak)

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U.S. Air Force A1C Jacob Bailey, 366th Security Forces Squadron response force leader, runs through a smoke bomb August 16, 2019, at the off-base small arms range near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The candidates ran four 50-meter runs through the smoke. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Natalie Rubenak)

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U.S. Air Force A1C Jacob Bailey, 366th Security Forces Squadron response force leader, picks up a body dummy August 16, 2019, at the off-base small arms range near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The candidates must complete a 50 meter walk while carrying a 175 pound training dummy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Natalie Rubenak)

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U.S. Air Force SrA Dillon Dapprich, 366th Security Forces Squadron response force leader, shoots at a target August 16, 2019, at the off-base small arms rage near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Assembling the M4A1 carbine, along with tactile firing, are required to be accepted onto the EST team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Natalie Rubenak)

Security Forces holds assessment for the Emergency Services Team

Published Aug. 22, 2019
By Airman Natalie Rubenak
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --

From law enforcement to combat tactics, Security Forces go through extensive training to learn their job.

The 366th Security Forces Squadron has different teams for which personnel can try out; one of them being the Emergency Services Team (EST).

EST is a team of Security Forces specialists who are trained to handle hostile situations. These can include barricaded suspects, hostage situations and active shooter situations.

“Regular security forces are trained for these scenarios, however, they aren't trained specifically as a team to go into situations like this,” said Tech. Sgt. Lawrence Griffin, 366th SFS NCO in charge of training.

Four candidates were tested on their ability to perform four 50-meter shuttle runs, a buddy drag where they carried a 175 pound training dummy, a series of tactile firing, a building clearing and a weapon retention drill.

“It's not really a go or no go situation,” said Griffin. “It's more of us wanting to see what potential they have and if they’re able to be trained.”

With their uniform and body armor on, the four candidates had to complete the assessment as fast as possible.

“I believe the hardest part of the assessment was the buddy drag,” said Staff Sgt. Zachery Arbogast, 366th SFS emergency communications center controller. “Not many people have to drag a 175 pound dummy for 50 meters.”

After the physical portion of the assessment, the candidates were instructed to sit down and write out the Airman’s Creed and the alphabet backwards.

This portion of the assessment determined their ability to think clearly while still physically and mentally exhausted.

They were then asked rapid fire questions about their personal lives and their motivation to be on the team by a panel of four evaluators.

Security Forces holds this assessment several times a year to give defenders the opportunity to join the team.

“What inspired me to be a part of this team was to show what I am capable of and to push myself to be better every day,” Arbogast said. “It is a great opportunity in our career field to be a part of a team like this.”