CRF, TRF integrate to hone critical security forces skills

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  In an effort to increase competences of security forces members assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, members of the 341st Security Forces Group Tactical Response Force and 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron Convoy Response Force trained in various aspects of each other's jobs Feb. 2 at Bldgs. 510 and 219.

The full day of training started with half of CRF and TRF respectively breaking off into two groups and taking turns learning each other's capabilities through instructional CRF education and hands-on TRF tactical scenarios.

"The goal is to have a common understanding of what others do - TRF has specially trained capabilities; CRF has specifically designed tactics," said Master Sgt. Benjamin Nucci, 741st MSFS CRF superintendent. "As each section within the 341st Security Forces Group has different capabilities and responsibilities, training together can only create a more efficient force to have knowledge of what the other sections do and how they do it."

The ongoing initiative to assimilate CRF and TRF originated at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., in 2013 during the annual Road Warrior, which is a convoy security training course that involves participants from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Minot AFB, N.D., and Malmstrom. The participants experience one week of tactical weapons training that includes live-firing training, small-unit tactics and convoy force-on-force exercises.

"When we were at Road Warrior, we started thinking about different ways to integrate with TRF, as well as them integrating with CRF, and that's what brought the merge," said Master Sgt. Christopher Clark, 741st MSFS CRF NCO in charge. "It was me talking with Master Sergeant Nucci and Sergeant Nucci talking with Lieutenant Olson and our squadron commander, Lieutenant Colonel Filler. We all thought of a valid plan to help out and help make integrated defense."

Training from CRF entailed explaining various 'what if' convoy scenarios on a sand table, which outlined convoy strategies, while training from TRF integrated fighting against an enemy by practicing in a simulated launch control center.

"The Convoy Response Force and the Tactical Response Force are the two most specialized teams in the Security Forces Group," said Lt. Col. Brian Filler, 741st MSFS commander. "Their skill sets naturally complement one another and therefore it was a natural decision to press for better integration in both training and operations. We are extremely happy with the results so far and will continue to merge the two units' capabilities to ensure the best security for our nuclear weapons."

According to Filler, TRF augments the 341st Security Forces Squadron, 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron and the 741st MSFS capabilities with specialized assaulters, breachers and snipers.

"The Security Forces Group is becoming very innovative in its approach to integrating TRF capabilities with more traditional security forces skill sets," Filler said. "This entire effort is also reliant upon the 40th Helicopter Squadron, which provides the 'ride to the fight' in many mission profiles and additionally serves as a non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. The ultimate goal of everything we do in the Security Forces Group is to ensure the safety and the security of Malmstrom's nuclear weapons."