Phoenix Ravens teach Airmen self-defense

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez
  • Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Members from the 627th Security Forces Squadron Phoenix Raven team trained a group of McChord Airmen on self-defense tactics here Nov. 14-15.

The course provided education in both verbal and physical self-defense skills.

"We wanted them to learn that it's not all physical, how to diffuse situations, and learn the basics of self-defense tactics," said Staff Sgt. Billy Hepworth, 627th SFS, Phoenix Raven deputy program manager.

Organized and orchestrated by Hepworth, the two-day course consisted of training in hand-to-hand combat, verbal skills, ground fighting, and weapons takeaways. Each day's training began with verbal skills and ended with physical self-defense tactics.

"I want them to have the confidence to act and respond in a hostile situation," said Hepworth. "Many times a physical confrontation can be avoided through the use of verbal defense skills."

For the verbal skills portion of the course, students were taught how to effectively communicate with an aggressor to avoid being attacked. Students were taught how to control hostile situations through communicating using body behavior and verbal techniques, such as giving an aggressor worst-case and best-case scenario options.

"We learned how to diffuse a situation and deflect a physical confrontation from occurring," said Airman 1st Class Sarah Lowther, 7th Airlift Squadron loadmaster. "If someone were to come after me today, I think I could control the situation to prevent being attacked."

During the physical portion of the course, the students were taught how to deflect and evade various attack scenarios. Scenarios included being attacked unexpectedly from behind, escaping choke holds, escaping being pinned to the grown and deflecting knives and guns.

"We learned how to get out of an attack and get help," said Lowther. "The course also taught me my limits and gave me a realistic understanding on how to respond to an aggressor. I feel confident that I can properly defend myself and not get seriously injured in an assault."

A threatening situation could present itself to anyone at any place and at any time, said Hepworth. This course is geared to make the students aware of that fact and to give them the tools necessary to mitigate the threat.

"I wanted to do the course because I knew it would be good to know for everyday life because I travel a lot as a loadmaster and want to feel confident that that I can defend myself; and now I do," said Lowther.

Those interested in participating in a future class can call the 627th SFS Phoenix Ravens section at 982-0402 for more information.