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Cadets held "hostage" to Air Force training

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. George Tobias
  • 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from colleges across the United States had a rare opportunity to participate in a base-wide training exercise here July 25 with Airman and local authorities.

As nine cadets traveled down a road here, their driver suddenly stopped and offered a ride to a pedestrian standing next to a broken-down vehicle. The next thing they knew, they had been taken "hostage."

These nine of the cadets soon became an integral part of the exercise as role-playing hostages taken by a "terrorist."

"It was really neat to be part of such a big operation to help (the military and civilian organizations) train if a similar event were to happen in the future," said Cadet 4th Class James Rickard, University of Kentucky, Detachment 290.

The exercise dealt with a hostage scenario and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response, and involved the entire base, the local Clovis Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and Plains Regional Medial Center.

"This exercise was an outstanding opportunity for the wing to practice our implementation of the new Air Force emergency management process," said Lt. Col. Beachel Curtis, 27th Fighter Wing Plans and Inspections chief. "It also allowed us to partner with the Clovis Police Department and Plains Regional Medical Center to exercise our ability to support each other during situations that may exceed our individual capacities."

The day began like any other day for the cadets who are part of Operation Air Force, a program for cadets to visit an active duty base and shadow NCOs in various career fields. They were up early to head to their first location.

None of the cadets knew what was in store for them as the exercise unfolded. It was only when they were handed an inject card explaining they were now hostages taken by a terrorist.

"We had no clue," said Cadet 4th Class Andrew Stomper, Prescott, Arizona Campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Det. 28. "It started out as a typical day."

The cadets spent the rest of the day as hostages as the Clovis SWAT team and the 27th Security Forces Squadron negotiated for their release.

"It was a learning experience for both of us," said Tech. Sgt. James Pitts, 27th SFS, who role-played as the terrorist during the exercise.

While the cadets were with Sergeant Pitts, they learned survival techniques for  hostage situations as well as about security forces and SWAT teams missions.

"It was a long day, but it paid off in the end," said Sergeant Pitts.

The cadets took with them not only Air Force mentorship, but also the experience of a hands-on exercise that included the Cannon Airmen and the local community.

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