No. 2 Security Forces Squadron on Ex Urban Nomad

As the moon rose, the quad bikes crept in and the drone hovered in the sky.

CAPTION: A Royal Australian Air Force Airfield Defence Guard from No. 2 Security Forces Squadron conducts a building clearance during Exercise Urban Nomad at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flight Lieutenant Suellen Heath. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

The Bushmasters stopped just out of sight, with a tactical response team – including explosive detection dog Jasper – ready to resolve critical incidents involving potential threats to the airbase.

These were all moments from Exercise Urban Nomad, a No. 2 Security Forces Squadron training exercise designed to train and develop the knowledge, skills and attributes applicable to conduct force protection operations within a complex environment.

The exercise, which ran from May 30 – July 15, was the culminating activity of the urban operations and response team training being conducted at RAAF Base Amberley’s Urban Operations Training Facility.

Officer conducting the exercise Squadron Leader Mark Rankin stated that the exercise ensured personnel were future-ready, connected and capable of providing effective security to Air Force airbases, assets and personnel, regardless of the threat or operating environment.

“Over the last couple of months, we’ve been training within the Urban Operations Training Facilities to simulate the complex environments surrounding many airbases,” Squadron Leader Rankin said.

“When a threat to airbase operations is detected, tactical response teams receive quick orders and develop a plan to respond.

“We must be ready to respond at any time.”

CAPTION: Defence Guards from No. 2 Security Forces Squadron approach the point of entry after dismounting from a Bushmaster. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

During the five-phase exercise, aviators were trained to ensure they could provide a tactical response capability to identify and defeat threats to airbase operations in the future security threat environment.

Officer in Charge Sergeant Noel Klaehn said the team constructs, mobility platforms and supporting capabilities were scalable to suit the threat and operating environment.

“We used un-crewed aerial systems to provide real-time surveillance to the team, which assists with identifying and detecting potential threats. This increases the team’s situational awareness and survivability whilst conducting their task,” Sergeant Klaehn said.

“Explosive detection dogs were also integrated within the team throughout the exercise to provide an explosive detection capability.

“This exercise has enabled us to develop and test our tactics, techniques and procedures within a complex environment to provide agile and lethal high threat response capabilities. In advancing these capabilities, Security Forces is further prepared to defend the base from emerging threats.”

CAPTION: Defence Guards from No. 2 Security Forces Squadron insert on all-terrain vehicles. Photo: Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

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