Defenders attend ROKAF special duty course

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristina Overton
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The mission of Osan Air Base is to provide combat ready forces for close air support, air strike control, forward air control-airborne, combat search and rescue, counter air and fire, and interdiction in the defense of the Republic of Korea. In securing the safety of the peninsula, United States military personnel and Republic of Korea Air Force members work together to ensure that should a contingency occur, both are ready to fight.

Recently, 10 members of the 51st Security Forces Squadron joined in a week-long ROKAF training course at the JinJui Education and Training Command, which gave them an opportunity to share information, learn from, and practice techniques with their Korean counterparts.

"The training is a five-day advanced combat course and consists of a lot of physical training, obstacle courses, firing, and basic confidence courses," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Yurco, 51st SFS swings flight sergeant. "It's been very challenging, but a great team-building experience. As security forces members and Airmen, it's important that we interact and build a relationship with our Korean military here. We post we them every day, but to be able to work on the ground with them and go through this training together gives us more insight on what they do, how they train and how we can improve and enhance our methods."

Each day started with a 40-minute ruck run or walk up to the training facilities followed by intense stretch and combat physical training sessions. The training courses, designed for special duty teams, included weapons firing in varied positions, obstacle courses with confidence courses to help members overcome fears such as heights, close combat, tactical movement and clearing maneuvers, signaling and communication drills as well as building surveillance exercises.

"We are very grateful to be a part of this experience," said Airman 1st Class Ryan Kneafsey, 51st SFS defender. "We've learned about how our ROKAF air police counterparts execute and operate, and were also able to show them some our different techniques so we can work together to perfect our procedures and work better as a whole. I've had an amazing time, made several friends and met new people. We are here to support them and help them, so we are trying to learn from their culture just much as they are learning from ours."

The ability to participate in joint training strengthens the capabilities of the two military forces. Despite the different styles of training, both teams came together for the common goal of ensuring peace and stability throughout the country.

"When it gets to real wartime, both Korean and Americans bases will combine," said Capt. Lee, MinByoung, JinJui Education and Training Command special duty team commander. "When that time comes, we'll be adapted through this training and opportunity. Working together is important."

This was the first time Osan Airmen participated in the Air Police Special Duty Team course in almost 30 years.