Course trains Air Force intelligence analysts in ground combat operations

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Bevier
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. --  Air Force intelligence analysts have been trained to focus on air threats since they first entered the service. There's now a need for them to be trained to provide support for world-wide ground combat and force protection operations.

The Air Force Force Protection Intelligence Formal Training Unit Course here at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center on Fort Dix, N.J. recently trained the first set of students in February to focus on force protection and ground threats, said 1st Lt. Eric Snelgrove, course director for the 421st Combat Training Squadron. The 18-day course teaches intelligence analysts the principles of integrated base defense, the proper employment of intelligence surveillance reconnaissance assets, asymmetric threats, and they will also learn and apply intelligence preparation of the operating environment to a real-world area of operations. The course concludes with a three-day real-world scenario and field training exercise reinforcing force protection concepts and principles.

"Headquarters Air Force identified a need for intelligence Airmen specifically trained to support force protection and ground combat operations," Lieutenant Snelgrove said recently. "Airmen are regularly filling roles in Iraq and Afghanistan that traditionally would have been performed by the Army and Marines. Just as these Airmen received specialized pre-deployment training to execute their new responsibilities, intelligence Airmen also require specialized training to ensure that all Airmen are receiving the best intelligence support available."

Tech. Sgt. Crystal Rapelje, from the 93rd Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and a student in the February class, said communication plays a vital role in force protection.

"As an Air Force intelligence analyst, it's just as important to look at ground threats as it is to look at air threats," Sergeant Rapelje said. "This class has taught me to think outside the box when it comes to force protection. We have to learn to reach out to our counterparts in the office of special investigations and security forces, but also to our intelligence counterparts in other branches and fuse our information to provide a solid base and force protection plan."

Intelligence analysts typically conduct aircrew pre-mission briefings and debriefings, analyze surface-to-air threats and attack trends, and brief senior leadership on strategic and tactical security issues in their area of operations.

Lieutenant Snelgrove said this course has become a requirement for intelligence analysts who are preparing to deploy.

"Intelligence Airmen who have been assigned to a force protection position will be required to attend this course," Lieutenant Snelgrove said. "Other students will attend as mandatory pre-deployment training. Whether they are new to force protection intelligence or have been doing it for years, they will leave this course as a better intelligence analyst."

The Expeditionary Center has succeeded in assembling a group of course instructors who have significant ground combat and force protection experience. "Teaching the course here allows access to the top-notch equipment, facilities, and experience that is organic to the Expeditionary Center and the 421st Combat Training Squadron," Lieutenant Snelgrove said.

Another student in the February class, 1st Lt. Renee Bernecker, from the 48th Operations Support Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, said the course prepares intelligence Airmen for a better role in supporting ground forces.

"I learned how to view the operational environment from the perspective of Airmen who operate outside the wire and as a result, how to provide tailored and ground operation-centered intelligence," Lieutenant Bernecker said. "I have a much better understanding of what threats, capabilities and other factors should be considered for pre-deployment planning. As Airmen, we are trained to focus on air threats. In the environment we operate in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is essential to also train Airmen to support ground forces. This course is a big step toward making that happen."

One student from the 204th Intelligence Squadron at McGuire AFB, N.J., said this course paves the way for the future.

"This course lays the foundation to provide the deployed warfighter the mission-specific ground intelligence needed to win the fight," Tech. Sgt. Carmine Giangeruso said. "Creative intelligence products for nonpermissive environments at a classified level will save lives. This course is one of a kind."

Lieutenant Snelgrove said this course answers a lot of questions. His students are prepared for real-world operations.

"Ask any intelligence Airmen what the range of a particular surface-to-air missile system is and you'll get a prompt answer," Lieutenant Snelgrove said. "Now ask that same Airmen what the range of a particular mortar round is and you'll get a blank stare. But in the current operating environment, what are Airmen really in greater danger from? This course is not only answering that question and a thousand others like it, but also teaching intelligence Airmen that airpower starts from the ground up."