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RAT annual training takes place

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- The 114th Fighter Wing's Ready Augmentee Team participated in outstanding annual training May 23-27 at Camp Rapid, Rapid City, S.D.

Day one of training for the 27 members of the team consisted of weapons qualification with 114th Security Forces Squadron. The A squad was shooting while the B squad attended Use of Force, Restricted Area Badge Familiarization, Entry Authority List Familiarization briefings. Senior Master Sgt. Dave Dellman and Chief Master Sgt. Roger Simunek were appointed as squad leaders with three "Fire Teams" modeled on the actual 114th Security Forces Squadron structure currently in use on Joe Foss Field.
Day two began with HUMVEE familiarization. Each member demonstrated technical and tactical proficiency of driving a HUMVEE safely and without incident in the mountains of the Black Hills. This was followed by intensive classroom instruction on basic military map-reading. Members learned to recognize both major and minor terrain features, how to locate points on a map using standard military protractors, and to correctly shoot azimuths for these points.

The rest of day two was spent having fun with the week's most effective team-building, Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training. This training is currently in use worldwide by Security Force Squadrons serving in overseas contingency operations. In this training, members learned to form up in a basic diamond pattern and learned the proper way to clear various buildings while keeping team integrity, communication, and firepower consistent with threats observed and communicated between and among team members.

Day three was spent putting into practice what was taught on day one and two.
Master Sgt. Tim Wenzel, 114th Force Support Squadron and team member since 2001, said, "The training was physically challenging and very realistic. I loved it, and it was a great time. It really got the adrenalin pumping."

"This was excellent training given by the Security Force Squadron members on how to work as a team," said Capt. Kevin E. Miller, RAT Commander. "The real world and hands-on training conducted was absolutely outstanding, and they are to be commended for their work."

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