Alconbury defenders add to skill set

Staff Sgt. Leif Gisselberg and Senior Airman Brian Jones practice a Krav Maga move learned during recent training at RAF Mildenhall. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Isreali Defense Forces. Sergeant Gisselberg and Airman Jones are assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury and are two of 12 Airmen on Alconbury to receive the training.

Airmen 1st Class Jennifer Picard and Julianne Artino practice a Krav Maga move learned during recent training at RAF Mildenhall. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Isreali Defense Forces. The Airmen are assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury and are two of 12 Airmen on Alconbury to receive the training. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Airman 1st Class Stephen Ardary and Senior Airman Melquiadez Racho practice a Krav Maga move learned during recent training at RAF Mildenhall. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Isreali Defense Forces. The Airmen are assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury and are two of 12 Airmen on Alconbury to receive the training.

Airman 1st Class Stephen Ardary and Senior Airman Melquiadez Racho practice a Krav Maga move learned during recent training at RAF Mildenhall. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Isreali Defense Forces. The Airmen are assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury and are two of 12 Airmen on Alconbury to receive the training. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Airmen 1st Class Jennifer Picard and Julianne Artino practice a Krav Maga move learned during recent training at RAF Mildenhall. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Isreali Defense Forces. The Airmen are assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury and are two of 12 Airmen on Alconbury to receive the training.

Staff Sgt. Leif Gisselberg and Senior Airman Brian Jones practice a Krav Maga move learned during recent training at RAF Mildenhall. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Isreali Defense Forces. Sergeant Gisselberg and Airman Jones are assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury and are two of 12 Airmen on Alconbury to receive the training. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

RAF ALCONBURY -- Defenders with the 423rd Security Forces Squadron here just added a whole new set of skills to the repertoire, making them more effective in their duties. 

Twelve Airmen recently traveled to RAF Mildenhall to learn the art of Krav Maga, the official self defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces. The simple, effective self defense system emphasizes instinctive movements, practical techniques and realistic training scenarios. 

During the intense six-hour training, Airmen encountered scenarios such as defense against a person wielding a knife, pointing a hand gun and swinging a blunt force object. The training provided realistic examples of what defenders could face in the performance of their mission at home station or at deployed locations. 

The training is the first of its kind to be taught to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron and was valuable for the members in performance of their official duties and stated the training is something they could easily use if needed to defend themselves and the members of the tri-base community.