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JBSA News
NEWS | Jan. 20, 2022

JBSA launches mandatory active threat virtual training

By Robert P. Vickers 502nd Security Forces Group Plans and Programs Manager

Active threat training at Joint Base San Antonio has gone virtual, thanks to the efforts of several 502nd Air Base Wing organizations.

In late 2020, the 502nd Security Forces Group was directed to facilitate active shooter response training across the Joint Base San Antonio community.

In collaboration with the Air Education and Training Command, members from the 502nd Air Base Wing began work to transform active shooter training at JBSA.

Active shooter training outside of a security forces squadron typically involves briefings provided by defenders at unit commander’s calls.  Base exercises are usually narrowly focused on a single “play facility,” with limited participation.  

At the time, Brig. Gen Caroline Miller, 502nd ABW and JBSA commander, published an operations order outlining the processes to significantly transform Joint Base San Antonio’s response to active shooter education. 

“Active attack training can mean the difference between life and death,” Miller said. “Every commander needs to delegate a representative from their unit to complete the training. That representative will need to share active shooter protocol with their unit to ensure that everyone knows how to handle an active shooter situation.”

The 502nd SFG originally intended to develop and provide quarterly training to JBSA unit-level antiterrorism representatives, who would then train their unit personnel. 

Unfortunately, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health and safety restrictions prevented large gatherings of personnel, which greatly hampered the 502nd SFG’s ability to provide the training as originally designed. 

Working with the 502nd ABW Public Affairs multimedia office, the 502nd SFG set out to design a virtual course that could be fielded and taken by all JBSA community members, while maintaining the higher priorities of social distancing protocols at the time.

Over an 11-month period, with assistance from the 502nd Communications Squadron, the Security Forces and Public Affairs teams created a virtual course and implemented the online course across multimedia platforms.

The active shooter virtual training has been fielded through the use of the Air Force Network, or AFNET, Sharepoint site for those JBSA community members within the AFNET Structure and can be accessed at https://usaf.dps.mil/teams/aetc/lackland/502SFG/Active_Shooter/index.aspx. The virtual course must be accessed through the use of the Microsoft Edge internet browser.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston members not loaded onto the AFNET system can contact the 502nd Communications Squadron office at 502CS.SCOKW@us.af.mil to request access.   Once access is granted, the course’s web address can be used.

Once an individual starts the course, they can pause the course at any time. However, if they exit the course before finishing, they will be directed to re-initiate from the beginning, as the course will not pick up where you left off.

The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete if taken without stopping.

To learn more about active shooter training, visit https://www.beready.af.mil/Disasters-Emergencies/Man-Made-Incident/Active-Shooter/.

(Capt. Kayshel Trudell of Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs and Sabrina Fine of 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article)