GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Goodfellow’s 17th Security Forces Squadron trained with local law enforcement at Eldorado Air Force Station, Texas Oct. 5-9.
The Shooting Institute was invited to train our Defenders and local law enforcement on close-quarters battle.
TSI is a small business specializing in highly effective firearm and tactical training. The cadres are current and former military and law enforcement; each individual has years of training under their belt and is willing to share it.
This year TSI worked on CQB, a tactical concept that requires rapid assault and precise lethal force. Because of the fast pace of this training, it can be very stressful and relies on teamwork.
“We’ve worked with the 17th Security Forces Squadron for the past few years,” said former Navy SEAL, founder, and CEO of TSI Jared Hudson. “We were contacted; they needed advanced CQB training that’s taking the basic level of CQB that most security forces personnel already have and expanding on it.”
A whole week of training is invested in this concept, starting from basic tactics and learning how to work in tandem, then ending with a full-speed assault with live diversionary grenades and specialized ammunition.
The team works on breaching a door, using night vision, throwing diversionary grenades, communication, clearing a room, and more. At the end of the week, the team works in perfect synchronization; the result is as breathtaking as it is terrifying.
However, the defenders aren’t bloodthirsty; they reserve this training only for circumstances that necessitate it. They kept their cool and remembered their training.
One of the basic principles of TSI’s training is to remember the basics.
“We have to be able to stick to the basics,” said Hudson. “We can’t grow without having a good base of fundamentals. The basics don’t have to go away, no matter how advanced we get or how difficult the problems get.”
Master Sgt. Mark Karas, 17th Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of the Emergency Services Team, credits TSI’s effectiveness to their ability to simplify training.
“The first time they came out, we were all shocked,” said Karas. “We thought ‘why are we just learning this now?’”
Karas thanked the 17th Training Wing and the 17th Training Group for investing in the unit; he said that the investment was paying off.
Karas and his team use TSI as a benchmark for their progress. They continuously train, and when TSI comes out, it gives them validation of their skills.
TSI gave constant advice and critiques to the EST, praising them on the things they did right and correcting them when they did anything wrong.
During the night vision portion of training, TSI spent time with each person individually. They gave special attention and specific advice on each situation.
Hudson explained the importance of their training as being akin to insurance. They may never use the training, and hopefully, they won’t, but if the situation arises, they will be prepared. That’s why it’s important for them to practice like their lives depend on it.