Ready Airman Training Day

Published June 10, 2026
By Senior Airman James Salellas
17th Training Wing Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Airmen assigned to the 17th Training Wing completed the installation's first Ready Airman Training Day June 8, a new program that runs personnel through a series of live-action, high-pressure exercises to build combat skills before deployment.

The program, developed by a cross-functional team (consisting of Security Forces, Medical, Civil Engineer, Communications, and Wing Staff Agency personnel), is designed to close the gap between classroom instructions, online training and the demands Airmen face downrange.

The training day will be held quarterly for personnel in their certification phase, with updates made after each event based on participant feedback.

Ready Airman Training Day

M4 carbines fitted with training devices rest between training scenarios during the inaugural Ready Airman Training Day at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 8, 2026. Developed collaboratively by Security Forces, Medical, Civil Engineer, Communications, and Wing Staff Agency personnel, the quarterly program is designed to build the combat skills Airmen need before deploying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Salellas)

Airmen received an M4 carbine at the beginning of the day and were responsible for it throughout all exercises. The requirement was deliberate, meant to build the accountability and handling discipline expected in austere environments.

Each participant was tasked with cleaning their weapon and returning it “safe and clear” at the end of the day.

The first training evolution commenced, placing Airmen in an unexploded ordnance discovery scenario and instructing them on proper reporting procedures, led by members of the 7th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight.

Ready Airman Training Day

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Austin Denton, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight team lead, briefs Airmen assigned to the 17th Training wing on unexploded ordnance identification procedures during the inaugural Ready Airman Training Day at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 8, 2026. The scenario required Airmen to follow proper reporting procedures while simultaneously countering the spread of misinformation among a simulated local population. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Salellas)

A second evolution was placed through a checkpoint scenario set in a simulated foreign country, where they were required to balance security protocols before reacting to a sudden attack. The exercise tested split-second decision-making under conditions designed to replicate the confusion of real-world engagements.

Ready Airman Training Day

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Orlando Lorenzano Jr., 17th Civil Engineer Squadron execution support noncommissioned officer in charge, conducts an under-vehicle inspection as part of the inaugural Ready Airman Training Day at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 8, 2026. The checkpoint evolution required participants to demonstrate specific, observable security behaviors under stress before reacting to a simulated hostile act. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Salellas)

The day's final scenario simulated an active shooter event on the installation. Airmen were assessed on their application of the escape, farricade, fight framework, a response protocol that demands rapid, life-or-death decisions under extreme duress.

Participants performed tactical combat casualty care while under fire during the last scenario.

"This is about more than just checking a training box," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Charles Crooks, 17th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander."It's about forging resilient, lethal Airmen who can maintain operational effectiveness amidst fear, uncertainty, and misinformation."

Training conditions were as realistic as possible across a range of contingency situations that Goodfellow Airmen may encounter.

The next RAT Day is scheduled for later this quarter. The program reflects the wing's commitment to ensuring Airmen are ready to execute when the mission is called upon.

Ready Airman Training Day

Airmen assigned to the 17th Training Wing scan a route for unexploded ordnance during the inaugural Ready Airman Training Day at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 8, 2026. The scenario required participants to identify and report simulated UXO while moving through a designated area, replicating the split-second recognition and reporting demands Airmen face in deployed environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Salellas)

Ready Airman Training Day

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Tarrats, 17th Security Forces defender, briefs participants on checkpoint procedures during the inaugural Ready Airman Training Day at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 8, 2026. The checkpoint scenario required Airmen to balance security measures before reacting to a simulated attack, testing split-second decision-making under conditions designed to replicate real-world engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Salellas)

Ready Airman Training Day

Members of the 17th Training Wing pose for a picture with M4 carbines fitted with training devices during the inaugural Ready Airman Training Day at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 8, 2026. Each participant was responsible for an M4 carbine throughout the entire training day, to build the accountability and handling discipline expected in deployed environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Salellas)