AFSOC Sharpens a New “DAGRE” Published June 28, 2007 By Maj. Scott Covode AFSOC Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Special operations security forces are upgrading their training to protect high risk aircraft in deployed locations. Handpicked members of security forces squadrons from all over Air Force Special Operations Command are participating in a new training program called DAGRE (Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element) to upgrade their combat skills to support future AFSOC deployments into contingency areas. During this inaugural 11-week course, security forces Airmen from the 352nd Special Operation Group, RAF Mildenhall, 353rd Special Operation Group, Kadena AB 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, N.M., 919th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field, FL and Headquarters AFSOC and 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron here, are learning advanced combat and shooting tactics and honing unarmed fighting and combat first aid skills. They have all received certification from the Air Force's PHOENIX RAVEN program which trains them to provide security for Air Mobility Command's aircraft in high threat areas. In between their combat courses and tough physical training regimen they are also taking classes at the Air Force Special Operations School here in anti-terrorism, counter insurgency and other specialized courses. This further prepares them for scenarios they will find in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the globe. "The course was designed to fill a capabilities gap that existed between the Raven's training and combat operations found in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Lieutenant Colonel Erik Rundquist, AFSOC DAGRE program manager. "AFSOC's specialized combat aircraft require additional protection when deployed and our security forces are the right guys to handle that mission. But they required additional training to prepare them for the austere and hostile environments they will most likely deploy in," he said. Special Operations Forces and aircrews are regularly deployed to locations all around the world to support various combat missions. Advanced combat tactics training and sharpened shooting skills are a must says Master Sgt. Mark Nucci, an AFSOC combat arms instructor. "The basic weapon's training is too static and not realistic enough for an offensive combat scenario. We teach the security forces guys how to shoot, move and communicate so they can take the fight to the enemy to protect the resources they are assigned to. They learn to operate under high stress conditions and that will pay off when they do come under fire," said Sergeant Nucci. "This training is realistic and tough, but we are learning so much that will help us downrange. We will be well prepared for future deployments" said Master Sergeant Carlos Rosa, non-commissioned officer in charge of the DAGRE team for the 1st. The training culminates with an 8-mile tactical road march into a scenario where each team will be required to showcase their new skills in an austere environment under hostile conditions. Eighteen security forces Airmen will graduate the DAGRE course on June 29. Future classes are already planned in order to build a full complement of DAGRE capabilities within the AFSOC community.