Deployed 72nd SFS Airmen participate in exercise with host nation

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
Several deployed 72nd Security Forces Squadron members recently participated in an exercise with the host nation and its allies. It proved successful.

The point of Ferocious Falcon Exercise was to determine the combined security capabilities and response options available to the United States and the host nation's military.

"The media highlights the negatives of what's going on overseas and this is a positive thing that wouldn't necessarily get highlighted home-side," said 1st Lt. Adam Phillips, 72nd SFS Operations officer. "It shows a better working relationship."

Within the exercise, the U.S. Air Force's team, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, trained the host nation's military on urban operations and tactics. The two groups then practiced responding to threats and contingencies.

The 379th AEW has two 13-member squads from the 72nd SFS. They have been deployed since December 2009.

"This exercise was not only a benefit to me, but my whole team and the squadron," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Neely of the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. "The personnel here are no different than us and our own military. They were trained and were motivated and driven to learn new techniques and procedures in recapture and recovery operations.

"When it came to integrating in with us in the vehicles and on tactical maneuvers, it was if they had trained with us for months moving as a single, well-oiled machine," Sergeant Neely said. "The friendships we developed proved that barriers truly don't exist when you see each other for what we are, brothers at arms."

The exercise itself was not only successful, but created a bond between the two countries. Sergeant Neely said he can envision the two units working together again in the future.

"It built a solid foundation for future endeavors with the host nation," he said. "They have confidence in our abilities as we do in theirs. It opened the door to do something greater in the future."