Security Forces Conducts Mobile Operation Urban Training Exercise Published Feb. 11, 2009 By Anthony J. Lesterson 127th Public Affairs 2/11/2009 -- The 127th Security Forces Squadron conducted a Mobile Operation Urban Training (MOUT) exercise at Selfridge ANGB on Feb. 8 to ensure they maintain a high state of proficiency in close terrain and urban combat environments. Security Forces Bravo Flight assaulted vacant building 907 with a total of 28 Airmen who received heavy resistance from fellow Security Forces personnel acting as enemy insurgents. Bravo Flight responded to a mock terrorist event including a possible hostage situation. Six members of the 127th Wing student flight acted as hostages while Security Forces Airmen took necessary actions to rescue them from the enemy insurgents. The simulated insurgents' plan included holding a large weapons cache with plans for a larger scale attack against American citizens. Two Bravo Flight teams stormed the apartment complex simultaneously and immediately took on small arms fire and dodged grenades and booby-trap explosives. While infiltrating the building they encountered situations such as insurgents wearing long camouflage trench coats and black masks, one wearing a bomb vest. Another insurgent used a hostage as a shield while to trying to prevent being shot or captured. Bravo Flight overcame the hostile situations and escorted the surviving enemies and hostages outside to perform search and seizures. The exercise was completed in less than one hour with all the hostages surviving and the insurgents dead or captured. "I was definitely impressed with the Security Forces. One of the bad guys was using a hostage as a shield and the team that came in communicated very well and used teamwork to get the hostage free and capture the bad guy," said Katherine Sharp, a 127th Student Flight trainee acting as a hostage. Urban combat is known to be the most dangerous form of combat. This is due to the element of surprise troops experience from engaging the enemy in an enclosed and unfamiliar environment. The engaging organization must take countless measures to decrease the loss of lives during response operations. Airmen must avoid silhouetting themselves in doors, windows or around corners. They must keep their eyes lined up with their firearm and focus on what is in front of them at all times. Ammunition usage must be monitored during firefights and noise is often a troubling factor. This kind of training for security forces personnel is crucial due to the kinds of enemy threats faced today. "The units in Iraq are going through this right now; this training will help us to prevent mistakes when doing this in a hostile situation," said Senior Master Sgt. Douglas K. Powell, superintendent of Bravo Flight. Working in such environments can be stressful, so during their down time security forces Airmen joke around and tease one another. But when the time comes to respond to response situations their professionalism and commitment to one another rallies. "The guys joke around a lot, especially with me - being the new guy - but when it's time to do the job they get serious and do what needs to be done. I trust them completely," said Airman 1st Class Darian Neeley, the newest member to the Security Forces Bravo Flight team. Security Forces Alpha and Bravo Flights take on the great responsibility of providing safety for the base and all the personnel here. Alpha Flight completed this same training earlier this year with each Security Forces Airmen going through MOUT training at least once every three months.