Security in numbers for evacuation scenario

As the morning sun shone down on an undisclosed airfield, the roar of a C-17A Globemaster III turned heads as it landed and aviators from 2 Security Forces Squadron stepped off the lowered cargo ramp onto the tarmac.

CAPTION: Personnel from 2 Security Forces Squadron take part in an aircraft security operations course on the flightline at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

This was the final assessment for the Aircraft Security Operations course, held at RAAF Base Amberley, with role players challenging Air Force Security and Airfield Defence Guards in a simulated, non-combatant evacuation.

Students were put through a scenario that included crowds, injured passengers, armed personnel and human trafficking, accompanied by background-simulated small-arms fire, adding to an already stressful situation.

While the course is targeted at Air Force security aviators, it showcases the integration, teamwork and mutual training opportunities between Air Force units.

This includes aviators from 35, 36 and 87 Squadrons, and 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, all taking part in scenarios designed to teach the fundamental skills to conduct various aircraft security operations.

Course instructor Sergeant Calan Weatherby, of 2 Security Forces Squadron, works closely with students during theoretical and practical phases of the course, covering task planning through to the completion of an aircraft security operation.

“Students gain an understanding of their core role of in-flight and fly-away security being tested by day and night from permissive to hostile environments,” Sergeant Weatherby said.

“The course is a great example of Air Force units working together, with students receiving capability briefs from various Air Mobility Group and Air Force medical units.

“This helps Air Force security understand their role more proficiently as well as how they work and integrate with those units.”

CAPTION: Corporal Todd O’Leary (left) chats with Colonel Oyama Masahiro from Japan Air Self-Defence Force during an aircraft security operations course. Photo by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

The course also welcomed officers from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to observe and join the activity, fostering cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding between JASDF and the Royal Australian Air Force.

“JASDF members integrated seamlessly with our students, conducting everything from the theory and practical components, even taking part in the RAAF swim-proficiency test,” Sergeant Weatherby said.

“They were highly engaged and eagerly asked questions over the conduct of our training during the course, even providing Leading Aircraftsman Jack Doran, of 2 Security Forces Squadron, with the MVP [most valuable player] award for his course efforts.

“This showed they embraced the Australian culture and esprit de corps created during the training. We look forward to working with them again.”

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