Shoguns hone skills at ECST

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  Nearly 50 Kadena Airmen pushed themselves mentally and physically during a three-day Expeditionary Combat Skills Training course here July 31 - Aug. 2. 

The purpose of the training was to prepare Kadena's Airmen to be combat-ready when deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Horn of Africa. The course was conducted by a mobile contractor team, Analytic Services. 

"The training we are giving them is theater-specific individual readiness training," said John Knipe, Analytic Services instructor, Washington D.C. "The Central Command directed all Air Force and sister services to complete the training before coming into theater." 

In ECST, Airmen are instructed on individual movement techniques, hidden unexploded ordnance scenarios, improvised explosive devices, and simulated convoy attacks.
Participants undergo a day and a half of classroom instruction and a day and a half of training in realistic war zone simulations. 

Based on feedback Pacific Air Forces-wide, the course was expanded from a 2-day to a 3-day course. The expanded course provides more combat training, additional hands-on convoy, IED, UXO, and medical training. The last day culminates with an all day field training exercise. 

"This is a small taste of what can be expected," said Master Sgt. Kirk Marcum, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron lead instructor for ECST. "These are stepping stones for every Airman and hopefully they will remember these techniques if needed." 

The training ensures every Airman attending the course will become a more well-rounded combat warrior. All Airmen deploying to combat zones who will not receive en route training must complete the program here. 

"They have given us the best possible training, and I feel a lot more prepared for my upcoming deployment," said Senior Airman John Gonzalez, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine journeyman. 

ECST training will not replace, but will compliment the current Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive defense training conducted at home station. 

"This will benefit them [Airmen] to stay alive out in the battlefield, to protect themselves and their equipment, or any Department of Defense assets," said Mr. Knipe. "They will be able to come home alive and continue their work at home base and continue the warfighting effort."