137th Security Forces conduct comprehensive Annual training Published Aug. 7, 2016 By Senior Airman Brigette Waltermire 137th Air Refueling Wing WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. -- Airmen and instructors from the 137th Security Forces Squadron participated in comprehensive training, July 29 to Aug. 5, at Camp Gruber near Braggs, Oklahoma. The annual training provides a simulated deployed environment course for close combat, weapons, navigation, urban terrain and other duties that are part of the Security Forces Squadron's readiness requirements. "By being in a new environment, the Airmen can troubleshoot problems that they don't normally see," said 1st Lt. Johnny Riaz, 137 SFS operations officer. "This is going to get them to be a more dynamic team and creative thinkers." As the teams dealt with insurgents in a mock compound, their efforts to verbally communicate and regroup the team, were challenged by the continual weapons fire, M18 smoke bombs and simulated mortars. During the debriefing sessions, it was clear that every action was executed, remembered and reviewed with intent. "Our career is fifteen years of monotony and repetition, fifteen seconds of sheer terror," said Riaz. "We've got to be able to react when it's time." The chaotic, simulated urban environment offered the more than 30 SFS members opportunities to conduct a variety of indoor and outdoor exercises that both mirror the combat conditions they might encounter while deployed, as well as remove the day-to-day distractions from home-station assignments. "This covers the broader aspect of things as far as being a force multiplier with the Air Force Special Operations Command mission and the increase of the [deployment] rotations that we're going to get," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Hancock, 137 SFS flight chief. Although it can be difficult to ensure all personnel are current with training and qualifications, the 137 SFS exercise improved the experience for both new Guardsmen and those with prior active duty security forces. "They come out here with their full gear on, just like they would if they were at an actual post deployed," said Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Essary, noncommissioned officer in charge of combat arms. "It's really important for them that they get this opportunity every year...especially before they deploy." Although they cannot spend two weeks at Camp Gruber every year, the squadron utilizes every chance they get to improve their readiness. "The fact that we're able to isolate ourselves and not worry about all the other requirements that are stacked on us is fundamental," said Riaz.