MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 891st Missile Security Forces Squadron (MSFS) of Minot Air Force Base conducted Operation Cerberus at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, Sept. 21-26. Operation Cerberus replicated a deployed environment and gave Airmen of the 891 MSFS a chance to enhance their teamwork and expeditionary skills.
“We’ve got over 200 people here for four full days of training, and six total days of travel on both ends,” U.S. Air Force Maj. Mathew Brox, 891 MSFS commander said. “Our training staff did an excellent job, and we trusted and relied on our leadership on all levels to execute that training.”
During the operation, the 891 MSFS conducted training in a variety of disciplines including land navigation, tactical combat casualty care, convoy operations, close quarters battle tactics and conventional weapons training.
“At Camp Ripley we have access to full-distance weapons and helicopter ranges, as well as access to armored vehicles, training areas and open villages,” U.S. Air Force Capt. Nicolas Niazian, 891 MSFS operations officer expressed. “Camp Ripley has amenities that Minot AFB and many other bases don't, so at Ripley we get to practice how we play.”
Niazian said that the Airmen not only learned how to use their own rifle and operate an M-240 on an armored vehicle, but they also learned how to work as a team.
“You learn who people really are when the rounds start flying and learn a lot about what you need to work on," stated Airman 1st Class Jacob Kohler, 891 MSFS missile security operator. “We’re supposed to practice how we play, so everybody giving their maximum effort and working together made me very proud.”
Kohler was the Top Shot award recipient during Operation Cerberus, which he earned by hitting 31 out of 40 targets at the weapons range.
“They had smoke grenades, ground burst simulators, and a simulated 50 caliber fired blank ammunition at them,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Carvey, 891 MSFS unit security manager. “It was a loud, fun time for them.”