Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Staff Sgt. Dontea White scans the area around his convoy for simulated explosive ordnance devices during the dismounted operations portion of the course Dec. 17, 2014, at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex, Nev. White is a Base Security Operations course student training for his first deployment and is currently assigned to the 512th Security Forces Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (U.S. Air force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay)security forces
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Dontea White scans the area around his convoy for simulated explosive ordnance devices during the dismounted operations portion of the course Dec. 17, 2014, at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex, Nev. White is a Base Security Operations course student training for his first deployment and is currently assigned to the 512th Security Forces Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (U.S. Air force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Security forces Airmen attending the Base Security Operations course drive Humvees through desert terrain as they demonstrate skills to perform mounted and dismounted operations Dec. 17, 2014, at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex, Nev. This is the last BSO course that will take place at Silver Flag Alpha, as the 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron is projected to close in early 2015. All Air Force tactical security forces based training will be moved to the new Desert Defender Ground Combat Readiness Training Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay)security forces
                        
                        
                        Security forces Airmen attending the Base Security Operations course drive Humvees through desert terrain as they demonstrate skills to perform mounted and dismounted operations Dec. 17, 2014, at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex, Nev. This is the last BSO course that will take place at Silver Flag Alpha, as the 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron is projected to close in early 2015. All Air Force tactical security forces based training will be moved to the new Desert Defender Ground Combat Readiness Training Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Security forces members assigned to the Base Security Operations Bravo Flight demonstrate their ability to perform medical evacuations during pre-evaluation training prior to the field training exercise Dec. 18, 2014, at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex, Nev. The students are part of the last BSO course taking place at Silver Flag Alpha and are currently assigned to the 512th Security Forces Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay)security forces
                        
                        
                        Security forces members assigned to the Base Security Operations Bravo Flight demonstrate their ability to perform medical evacuations during pre-evaluation training prior to the field training exercise Dec. 18, 2014, at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex, Nev. The students are part of the last BSO course taking place at Silver Flag Alpha and are currently assigned to the 512th Security Forces Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

End of an era signals new beginnings for security forcesPublished Jan. 7, 2015
                    
                    By Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
                    
                    
                    432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
            **SILVER FLAG ALPHA, Nev. (AFNS) --**Ninety-five security forces Airmen from around the country attended the last 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron's Base Security Operations course Dec. 6-20, at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex, outside of Las Vegas.
The Airmen not only received critical pre-deployment skills during their course, but they unknowingly became part of history. The final course brings closure to a long line of defenders who came before them and signals the end of an era as the 99th GCTS prepares to close its doors in early 2015.
Since its first class in 1983, the primary mission of the 99th GCTS has been to prepare security forces Airmen for combat by instructing tactical courses aimed at providing Airmen with mission-specific skills to defend air bases around the globe. On average, the 99th GCTS conducts 10 to 12 courses per year, training approximately 3,000 students annually.
"We continuously update our training to include the newest tactics, techniques, and procedures for different theaters," said Tech. Sgt. Markus Mindoro, the 99th GCTS integrated base defense flight chief. "This environment is perfect for teaching defenders what they need to know for missions they will face downrange."
The range complex where training takes place consists of 12 ranges capable of supporting all small arms fire in the Air Force inventory, a military operations in urban terrain village, a bare base tent city and a maneuver area.
The last students to attend the 17-day BSO course here were Airmen from the 512th Security Forces Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, the 403rd SFS at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, and the 434th SFS at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. They learned 23 core security forces tasks as part of their pre-deployment training.
Among these tasks were base operations, land navigation, dismounted tactics and patrolling, vehicle convoys and mounted operations, urban operations, static defense, entry control point operations, and basic medical techniques they may be called to use as first responders.
"I've had a blast doing this training so far," said Senior Airman Luis Reyes, a BSO course student. "The instructors make the information fun so that we are actively engaged. The training seems so real with all the simulated explosions and fire fights, which really helps."
Currently, the 99th GCTS is one of eight Security Forces Regional Training Centers that conduct a variety of courses designed to ensure security forces Airmen accomplish their mission and training requirements both at home station and while deployed.
"Nothing can replace the job satisfaction you get when you see students return from a deployment, to include hearing from our leadership that our students used what we taught them downrange," Mindoro said. "This is my second time at an RTC, and the satisfaction I get is the same (as the first time)."
In preparing for the 99th GCTS closure, Air Force officials partnered with the Army, specifically the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, to create a center that would help align common security tactics, techniques and procedures used by all U.S. armed forces.
For Mindoro, the expected closure strikes close to home.
"I've taught at Silver Flag for three and a half years, and I love it," he said. "I will miss the esprit de corps that my team has built. We have a tight-knit and diverse group of cadre here."
Once the 99th GCTS and the other RTCs shut down, BSO training will be conducted at the new Desert Defender Ground Combat Readiness Training Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. The facility will be one of three RTCs dedicated to training all Air Force security forces Airmen, to include Air Reserve Command and Air National Guard members.
Although the location will change, Mindoro says the training students receive will still be the best the Air Force has to offer.
"I feel that our students have learned a lot and have shown they're able to apply (their knowledge) in the last 17 days at Silver Flag Alpha," he said. "Every class we've taught, including the last class, has been a significant part of what we've done here."SFS 



security forces 



99th Ground Combat Training Squadron 



training 



Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil