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145th Security Forces Get Physical in Non-Lethal Way

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Norman Dias, 145th Security Forces Squadron, holds on to the ASP Baton Strike Pad as Senior Airman Nicholas Damron prepares to strike during a non-lethal defense training exercise held at the North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. Airport, February 9, 2014. Security Forces must keep their certification in non-lethal ASP current as part of their yearly requirements. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Pamela Robbins, 145th Public Affairs/Released)

145th Security Forces Get Physical in Non-Lethal Way

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darren Shopbell, assigned to the 145th Security Forces Squadron, uses a collapsible ASP baton during tactile baton training against 1st Lieutenant Adam Cassidy, 145th Anti-Terrorist Officer. Cassidy, wearing a red protective suit, and other members of 145th SFS held the ASP training at North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. airport, February 9, 2014. 145th SFS members train as part of a yearly requirement to keep their non-lethal ASP certification current. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Laura Montgomery, 145th Public Affairs/Released)

145th Security Forces Get Physical in Non-Lethal Way

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. James Newman, Senior Airman Marissa Miller and other members of the 145th SFS emulate closed ASP baton strikes. Airmen assigned to the 145th SFS must train as part of a yearly requirement to keep their certification in non-lethal ASP current. The training was conducted at the North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. airport, February 9, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Laura Montgomery, 145th Public Affairs/Released)

145th Security Forces Get Physical in Non-Lethal Way

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy Van Dyke, 145th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrates the proper techniques of using a collapsible ASP tactical baton as part of a yearly requirement for 145th SFS members to keep their certification in non-lethal ASP current. Van Dyke conducted the training teaching lethal and non-lethal defense stances at the North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. airport, February 9, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Pamela Robbins, 145th Public Affairs/Released)

145th Security Forces Get Physical in Non-Lethal Way

Members assigned to the 145th Security Forces Squadron, use ASP Baton Strike Pad and collapsible ASP batons during a training held at North Carolina Air National Guard base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. airport, February 9, 2014. Security Forces must keep their certification in non-lethal ASP as part of their yearly requirements. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Laura Montgomery, 145th Public Affairs/Released

145th Security Forces Get Physical in Non-Lethal Way

Published Feb. 21, 2014
By Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran
145th Public Affairs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- You drive on base in the early morning hours, show your I.D. to on-duty security personnel and think about all those projects waiting for you when you enter your office. So what happens after you leave the sight of the front gate? Do you really know who is in the car behind you?

Unfortunately, the world is not the same as it used to be. People lock their doors and are afraid to help stranded folks on the side of the road. Security has had to step up and produce more options and ways of responding to different situations to keep not only our base but our community safe.

Members assigned to the 145th Security Forces Squadron at the North Carolina Air National Guard, especially those who work to secure the gates, have a higher chance of encountering someone who is more likely to put hands on them. Security Forces must act fast when responding to situations. "You don't want to always respond to a fist-fight with a M9." stated 1Lt. Adam R. Cassidy, 145th Security Forces, Anti-Terrorism Officer.

Security Forces need to be able to have alternative ways to control a situation without having to go to extreme measures of using deadly force. That is one reason why the 145th SFS train with the non-lethal Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) baton. This training gives the defenders options in appropriate ways to protect themselves and others. The ASP baton allows defenders to use the amount of force necessary to have offenders comply with security personal's commands.

The ASP is an expandable and collapsible baton, typically composed of a cylindrical outer tube containing telescoping inner shafts that lock into each other when expanded. The batons are usually made of steel and like the Taser are used for non-lethal tactical defense.

NCANG security personnel conduct yearly refresher training to certify with the ASP baton. Members start with classroom training covering concealment, deployment, and proper striking techniques. Once the trainee completes the classroom portion they go through several strikes and deployments on specific training bags designed to take the punishment from the baton. The training is then taken outside where teammates are observed as they negotiate the baton obstacle course. Airmen fend off assailants with knee kicks and elbow throws. As the training continues, each defender is attacked by two assailants that require them to wield their ASP baton with aggressive precision. The course finale ends with hand-to-hand combat where the trainer is fitted with a protective suit, called the red man suit, which allows full-contact fighting.

Simulated scenarios are performed by the trainers. The one-on-one battle between the red man and the officer is executed with many safety measures in place to ensure no one gets hurt. However, it is obvious that the realism of having an aggressor invade their personal space and get hit is a very real experience. During the training, Security Force defenders are required to engage the red man and use verbal commands while using the baton.

145th SFS keeps vigilant both inside and outside the gates at the NCANG. Airmen assigned to this elite squadron maintain composure in stressful circumstances while applying appropriate strikes as needed to gain control of any combative situation. These airmen proudly serve the community and state and are always ready to answer the call of our nation.