Phoenix Raven: A key element in global protection

A U.S. Air Force C-141 Starlifter sits at the end of a runway in a small African country where humanitarian relief supplies have just been unloaded. The aircrew, after flying long into the night, is getting some much-deserved sleep at a nearby hotel. The plane appears alone and abandoned in the early morning hours as two men approach, seemingly unnoticed from across the airfield.

Enter the Ravens.

Before the men get close to the aircraft, a "crewmember" approaches from the aircraft, hails them in their own language and asks them to stop. He communicates to them through gestures, telling them they must not come any closer to the aircraft, and they seem to understand. One man reaches into his coat and the Raven stiffens, but keeps his wits about him. He knows his partner is alert and covering him from the aircraft.

The man withdraws a small camera and signals that he wants to take a photograph of the huge airplane. The Raven allows the picture to be taken. The men leave without incident.

"When terrorists struck the Khobar Towers complex in Saudi Arabia killing nineteen of our fellow airmen, a call for increased force protection of personnel and resources was issued throughout the military."

"Force protection is more than a concept. It is a way of life that must be integrated into everything we do." -General Walter Kross, Commander, AMC

With those words, General Kross launched many new programs designed to achieve global security. One of these programs is Phoenix Raven - a cadre of specially trained security force personnel whose primary job is to provide security for the aircraft and crew in countries where adequate security is questionable or nonexistent. Ravens are trained to detect, deter, and counter threats to AMC personnel and aircraft weapon systems at deployed locations.

"Phoenix Raven is a program designed to provide more protection for our aircraft and crews transiting `high threat' areas in the en route system," said Col Rocky Lane, U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command Director of Force Protection, Scott AFB IL. "Every AMC mission scheduled is evaluated by a threat working group to determine the level of threat. If any part of the mission indicates a possible threat to our aircraft and crews, a Raven team is assigned to the crew for that mission to reduce the threat."

Ravens are security policemen who volunteer and are selected to complete specialized training at the Air Mobility Warfare Center (AMWC) near McGuire AFB NJ. The eight-day training course (increasing to twelve days) is intense and challenging, both mentally and physically. All Raven candidates must pass performance and written evaluations, as well as achieve a minimum score of seventy percent on the Army Physical Fitness Exam before becoming eligible for graduation.

"Students are pre- screened to ensure they are the most motivated and competent individuals available," said Capt Erik s Rundquist, AMWC's Director of Contingency Support Operations. "They are required to pass a challenging physical fit- ness test to measure their endurance level for the training we'll give them. The course itself is only eight days, but it's eight of the longest days they'll ever remember. Fourteen-hour days are not uncommon during the course. But when they leave here, they leave with the tools they need to perform their job around the world."

However, the training doesn't end with the Raven course. Ravens must continually train themselves once they complete the basic course. "If they leave here believing they're ready for any situation, they're wrong," said Rundquist. "They must continue training to keep abreast of the latest in tactics and techniques out there. All their learned skills are perishable if not used."

Six Phoenix Raven classes during 1997 will supply more than 100 certified Ravens. After that, two classes each year will be held to keep the total around 100. During the eight-day course, candidates receive training on the following subjects: International Law; Rules of Engagement; Force Continuum; Cultural Awareness; Air Mobility Operations; Aircraft Familiarity; Dynamics of Terrorism; Hand-To-Hand Defense Techniques, Advanced Weapon Training (M-16, 9MM, and twelvegauge shotgun); Use of Pepper Spray, Expandable Baton, and Stun Gun; Explosive Ordinance Disposal; Self-Aid Buddy Care; Airfield Survey Techniques; and Photography. Throughout the course, however, one key element is emphasized - the "force continuum." The force continuum, simply put, is beginning at the lowest level of force possible, such as a verbal "halt," and stepping through the other levels as necessary, up to and including the use of deadly force as a last resort. "The entire training program revolves around this force continuum," said Lane. "We need to teach these steps to avoid the use of unnecessary force rich may create an international incident. It may,just be some inquisitive person out there who wants to take a look at .the big airplane, and a verbal warning is all that's required to make them keep their distance. We're held accountable for whatever measures Ravens take in protecting AMC resources in unfamiliar places."

How does the Phoenix Raven process work? Who decides what missions are deemed as Phoenix Raven missions? The decision to task a Phoenix Raven team is vested in the AMC Threat Working Group (TWG). The AMC TWG conducts an operational risk management assessment of the en route airfields for the mission. The TWG then makes a force protection recommendation for the mission - one of which may be to include a Phoenix Raven team on the mission. When the Raven team is tasked, mission planners notify the wing owning the mission of the requirement through the Global Decision Support System Patch photo by TSgt John K. McDowell, Airman Magazine (GDSS). The wing (usually Current Operations section) then notifies the aircraft commander and the security forces squadron. The security forces squadron commander then identifies the Raven team who will travel with the mission.

A Raven team will consist of two to four security force members, depending upon the threat, location, known host nation/theater security measures, and mission requirements. Once on a mission, Raven team members have three primary functions: 1) Advise the aircraft commander and crew on force protection measures; 2) Perform close-in aircraft security and, 3) Accomplish airfield assessments highlighting existing security measures and vulner- abilities. The Raven team will always maintain a presence with the aircraft, and the team leader will coordinate with the host nation/theater security representative for force protection support When not accomplishing Raven duties, team members assist with aircrew duties.

The program requires committed individuals because, as Lane pointed out, it's not a good deal. "It's tough being a Raven," said Lane. "It's not an easy job. There's no flight pay, hazardous pay, or cushy hotels. These people have a job to do, and that often means living for days on an airplane, despite driving rain, freezing cold, blistering heat and even hungry mosquitoes. And when they aren't doing their Raven mission, they are assisting the loadmasters with cargo handling, answering directly to the aircraft commander. There is no slacking off in the life of a Raven during a mission. That's why the program is very selective and the training tough."

What do graduates think of the program? "The training has been excellent," said SSgt Jessica Wilson, 437th Security Forces Squadron, Charleston AFB SC. "It's not only been a confidence builder, it's been specialized education. It will set us apart in terms of endurance, skill, and the ability to face challenges."

SSgt Adrian A. Brown, also from Charleston, said Phoenix Raven appealed to him because of the flying involved. However, he was also quick to add that the training is tough ... really tough. "You have to be a strong-willed person and keep telling yourself you're going to get through this no matter what they throw at you," said Brown. "But it also showed me things about myself ... how to dig down deep inside to bring out the best I have. It can show your weaknesses as well as your strengths." One of the most important things Brown said he learned was to think first, then act accordingly. "The Raven course teaches people to use their heads first and try other means to resolve a situation before resorting to deadly force."

Col Lane may have summed up the program best: "Being a Raven is more than knowing fifteen ways to take people down. It's using your number one weapon ... your mind. The successful Raven is one who has stopped the person, kept them away from the aircraft, and kept the aircraft secure without causing an international incident. And all the while, serving as a good ambassador for his/her country. That's what this program is all about."

For those with questions or desiring additional information, please contact HQ AMC Security Forces, Force Protection Division at DSN 576-2950.

Copyright Superintendent of Documents, Military Airlift Command Sep/Oct 1997
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