The first Air Expeditionary Force training of the semester started with a review on movement in squad and fire team formations. After reviewing squad column and squad file, we rotated stations to review "challenging intruders" and the procedures associated with securing a suspected threat if an unauthorized individual or group approaches your base entry control point. After practicing these skills, C/Maj Bergman presented the General Military Course cadets with the challenge of setting up and defending two Forward Operating Bases. The team that had to set up the bases encountered resistance along the way, and once the bases were set up, the intruders relentlessly approached the base, testing our critical thinking skills with each challenge being different. Some intruders approached in groups, others refused to use English to communicate. In the end, it was a valuable learning experience since we were able to deal with so many different scenarios.
