501st CSW hosts new training for SFS Airmen Published Feb. 17, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Joel Mease 501st Combat Support Wing RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom -- Security forces Airmen from wings in the UK were among the first to participate in a realistic force-on-force training exercise at RAF Molesworth. The exercise used real duty weapons but fired a plastic projectile that contained a dye. The training provides the Airmen with realistic scenarios using ammunition which provide them instant feedback if they make a mistake. "The training scenarios we use are based on after action reports we received from previous incidents like the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings," said Staff Sgt. Michael Pendleton, 423rd Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms instructor. "In the past Airmen may have only heard blanks being fired, but this gives you a pain penalty where you know where you were shot. Now the Airman has an understanding if (he/she) should have turned right instead of left, or acted faster or slower." To achieve this pain penalty effect Airmen use their weapons, converted to fire a 9mm plastic projectile with a colored dye substance. The training is called Simunition because it simulates a real round being fired. "The round used is a serious training tool, and is not like paintball because that is not fired from a real weapon," said Ian Jackson, a master instructor for Simunition. "When you are training, you know a projectile might come back at you and you are training in a 360 degree scenario you will think differently." The training is very serious Mr. Jackson says, but it is safe and gives you a realistic view of what to expect if the scenario was real. "We want you to make the mistakes in the training environment, so you won't make them in the real world," Mr. Jackson said. Those who participated in the exercise found the training to very worthwhile. "What I found extremely valuable is that we used our real duty weapons we use on a daily basis," said Tech. Sgt. Tisha Bate, 100th Security Forces Squadron RAF Mildenhall. "That is the biggest thing about this training you use real weapons, and come into scenarios that are real world shoot or don't shoot situations. With a real weapon you want to take it more seriously as opposed to hearing blanks, or wearing miles gear and someone telling you you've been hit." The two-day course taught 23 Airmen and went over multiple scenarios ranging from a domestic violence call to a hostage situation. The goal is for the training to be part of the regular security forces training in the UK," Sgt. Pendleton said.