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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story by Master Sgt. Phil Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Joseph Howell (right), a combat arms trainer for the 123rd Security Forces Squadron, and Senior Airman Charles Henderson, a security forces fire team member, clear a stairwell at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., as a Louisville Metropolitan Police Department SWAT Team member provides instruction during a joint training exercise Jan. 13, 2014. The training is designed to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the Air Guardsmen and civilian police officers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Airmen from the 123rd Security Forces Squadron conducted bilateral training with members of the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team here Jan. 14, focusing on tactics, techniques and procedures used to defeat an attack by armed assailants.
More than 50 Louisville SWAT members divided into teams to train with the security forces Airmen, according to Tech. Sgt. Craig Davis, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of Combat Arms for the 123rd Security Forces Squadron. The officers and Airmen then worked together to stop a simulated gunman who was firing on base personnel as part of an “active-shooter” exercise.
After the exercise ended, the Airmen and officers covered additional training areas such as building approaches, room clearing and stairwell clearing.
Davis said the training was an excellent learning experience for both parties.
“LMPD really enjoyed their time out here,” he said. “They weren’t aware of our capabilities, but they walked away confident and with a better appreciation of them, knowing we can work together in potential emergencies in the future.”
Lt. Col. George Imorde, commander of the 123rd Security Forces Squadron, hopes to conduct more bilateral training in the future to strengthen the two units’ interoperability.
“Bilateral training is not something we get to do very often, but we need to do it to establish the relationship between military and civilian law enforcement elements,” he said. “Each unit gets to share their tactics, techniques and procedures. The real benefit is the relationship-building, because there are many emergency scenarios that might occur on military installations requiring a local law enforcement response.”
One such scenario would be a real-world active-shooter incident, during which the Louisville police department’s SWAT Team would integrate with Airmen from the 123rd Security Forces Squadron to secure the installation, he noted.
“Active shooters have been increasing throughout the country, and it seems like (these incidents are) more prevalent these days,” said Lt. Brent Routzahn, the Louisville police department’s SWAT Team commander. “We came out to show how we conduct business on our side and to be on the same page with the Air Guard, so if an incident ever did happen on the base, we would be on the same page regarding how we are going to operate and be familiar with each other.”
Imorde said such familiarity can pay big dividends.
“Now, (Louisville police department officers) have seen a footprint behind our gates that they’ve never seen before. They know what we look like, they know where our buildings are, they are familiar with our property, they know who we are, and they understand our capabilities,” he said. “That’s important.
“The feedback from our military personnel was that it was invaluable training, and something they don’t get every day,” Imorde added. “Airmen attend courses to become a military law enforcement officer, and sometimes that training gets far removed from real-world application. To get this additional insight and experience keeps our members refreshed on the latest tactics, techniques and procedures.”
Master Sgt. Greg Myers, operations superintendent for the 123rd Security Forces Squadron, said his Airmen now have more knowledge they can use to enhance base security.
“What we did in this training is why people join security forces, and why people stay in security forces,” he said. “We are stronger now, and our protection capabilities for the installation have grown tremendously. All the way from the entry teams to the command-and-control aspects, if anything were to happen, we know how we’re going to work with LMPD when their officers arrive and how we will proceed. It enhances the force protection of the installation immediately.”
Story by: Sgt. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Crump from the 138th Fires Brigade oversees Soldiers firing a salvo of Howitzer 105mm rounds from the 2nd street bridge in Louisville, Ky., during the 25th annual Thunder Over Louisville fireworks and air show April 12, 2014. Members of the Kentucky Guard highlighted the evening’s entertainment of music and firework displays.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
LOUISVILLE Ky., — Nearly 200 Soldiers gathered together as more than 750,000 people packed the streets of Louisville for the annual Thunder Over Louisville as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival held April 12.
Guardsmen from across the Commonwealth along with the Louisville Metro Police Department served and protected the city of Louisville during the event. No officer was left without a civilian counterpart. This year’s event was anticipated to be one of the largest Thunder Over Louisville events ever.
To see all the photos from this event, please click HERE.
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Hawkins, from the 223rd Military Police Company, was assigned the duty to control traffic alongside an LMPD officer as the massive crowds began to flood the streets by the waterfront. He was honored to work with his civilian equivalent.
Kentucky National Guard Military Police Officers patrol the grounds Louisville with officers of the Louisville Metro Police Department April 12, during Thunder Over Louisville. (US Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort)
“It gives us a chance to support our local community as well as having the unique opportunity to work with civilian police officers,” said Hawkins, “When people see both sets of uniforms, I think they will have a better sense of security knowing that we have put forth a huge effort to keep them protected.”
Events like Thunder give Soldiers a yearly a chance to put their training to work and also show what the National Guard is all about, working hand in hand with local authorities to protect our home front.
“This is an event we conduct every year,” said 1st Lt. Jacob Lee, Company Commander with the 223rd MP Company, “Working with local officials is a great experience for our Guardsmen. It gives them the opportunity to work with someone who patrols these streets and protects them every day.”
Spc. Samantha Haynes, Information Technology Specialist with the 138th Signal Company prepares to fire a 105mm Howitzer during Thunder Over Louisville, April 12. Haynes has grown up watching the fireworks and was honored to be able to fire the cannon. (US Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort)
Whether it’s your first Thunder Over Louisville or your 15th, this event is something you will remember for years to come. Spc. Samantha Haynes, Information Technology Specialist with the 138th Signal Company, has grown up watching the air and fireworks show since she was young and was honored to have the opportunity to shoot the 105mm Howitzer cannon.
“When I was younger, I would always love hearing the cannons,” said Haynes, “It feels great to be able to pull the cord and make other people feel the same excitement I did when I was their age.”
As another Thunder came to an end, the effort put forth by the Kentucky National Guard and the Louisville Metro Police Department to serve and protect the Commonwealth of Kentucky shined almost as bright as the fireworks.
“Without the Kentucky National Guard, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” said Sgt. William Patterson, LMPD officer, second in command over traffic. “The guard has been with us for so long that without them we wouldn’t keep having successful events such as today.”
