Air National Guard brings knowledge and experience to the table

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt J. LaVoie
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  There is no doubt that each Airman brings different knowledge and experience to the table; this is especially true when working with Air National Guard or Reserve forces, who often work in complement careers outside of the Air Force. Recently the 48th Security Forces Squadron took advantage of the knowledge the Maryland Air Guard brought with them to RAF Lakenheath, by using the total force to conduct advance training. 

Tech. Sgt. Ben Coppage, who has been a Maryland State Trooper for 17 years, conducted some of the training. 

"We're here to offer our civilian experience and training to enhance the law enforcement here in the U.K.," he said. "Our goal is to make it safer at all installations." 

During the two week training, 90 security forces specialists from both RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall will receive training in DUI detection, traffic stops, interview and interrogation, as well as domestic response. 

"It's actually really interesting because they are able to elaborate and offer their experiences from stuff they have done before," said Airman 1st Class Amanda Hinds, 48th SFS. "These officers have a strictly law enforcement background. We (as military members) don't encounter a lot of these situations." 

In addition to classroom instruction, the Airmen got to role play during simulation, where the guard forces could assist and answer questions. 

1st Lt. Matthew Tower, who has been a Delaware County Police Officer for 14 years, said that overall the training is going well, and that their number one goal is officer safety. 

"Not to be complacent, hopefully that's what we'll give them," he said. "At the gate, they come into contact with hundreds, if not thousands, of people and you never know who you are going to come in contact with. It's important to not get complacent." 

Though this type of training is available, due to limited resources, it's difficult for Airmen stationed overseas to get it. 

"From my experience with the Guard, they often bring a wealth of experience and we are glad to have the opportunity to use that experience to give our Airmen additional training and the confidence they need to help make RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall safer for everyone," said Master Sgt. Anthony Arens, 48th SFS.