OSI, SFS participate in active shooter program

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - Airman First Class Katie Metz, 4th Security Forces Squadron, leads a four man team through a scenario during the Active Shooter Training course, on May 9. The Active Shooter Training course is one of the many courses that all Security Forces personnel go through in order to prepare themselves both mentally and physically.(photo by A1C Jonathon Williams)(released)

OSI, SFS participate in active shooter program

Published May 24, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Greg Biondo
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Team Seymour's Office of Special Investigations and the 4th Security Forces Squadron participated in the active shooter program May 8-9.

A special agent from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations trained Team Seymour Airmen along with local authorities on how to eliminate a threat quickly and efficiently with a small number of personnel.

The active shooter program was created so events like the shooting rampage by Airman Dean Mellberg at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., in 1994 and April's Virginia Tech shootings can be handled with as little as two law enforcement personnel on scene.

"Anyone is a potential threat at anytime," said Special Agent Gerard Tart, OSI. "There is no longer an 'if this situation happens,' but a 'when this situation happens.'"

In the past, it was procedure to wait for a special weapons and tactics team to arrive and take control. Handling these situations faster and with less personnel could mean the difference between life and death, according to Special Agent Tart.

The training was composed of two parts. The first part of the training included a classroom session in base housing and an active-shooter exercise in the building that was previously the federal prison camp. The second part of the training took place at an off-base range with more scenarios.

This training not only helps local police departments but will be used on base.

"Although we cannot predict the future, this training has undoubtedly helped us to prepare for the unknown." said Tech. Sgt. Kurt Black, 4th Security Forces Squadron.