Course Description
The Phoenix RAVEN Qualification Course (PRQC) qualifies selected Security Forces personnel to perform as members of a force protection team assigned to deploy with DoD aircraft to austere environments. Students are trained to perform as teams to detect, deter, and counter threats to personnel and aircraft at deployed locations by performing close-in aircraft security and advising aircrew on force protection measures. In addition, the course prepares students to perform anti-hijacking duties on select missions.
Who can attend?
USAF Enlisted E-3 – E-7 active duty and ARC Security Forces members (3P051 AFSC)
Prerequisites:
Must have a minimum of 18 months time in service.
Recieve a minimum rating of 4 on their last three EPRs. (Not applicable to ANG)
Possess a Secret clearance or higher.
Must score in the 90 percentile or higher for their age group on each category of the performance fitness assessment no earlier than 45 days and again 10 days prior to course.
Where?
The Headquarters AMC/A7S, chief of security forces, is the focal point for all Phoenix Raven operations supporting AMC airlift operations.
The following bases listed offer the RAVENs program:
(this list does not include all the bases that offer RAVENs)
6th SFS MacDill AFB, Fla.
436th SFS Dover AFB, Del.
87th SFS McGuire AFB, N.J.
627th SFS McChord AFB, Wash.
60th SFS Travis AFB, Calif.
628th SFS Charleston AFB, S.C.
Course Length:
22 Days
Training:
The Phoenix Raven training course is conducted by the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The intensive two-week, 12-hour-a-day course covers such subjects as cross-cultural awareness, legal considerations, embassy operations, airfield survey techniques, explosive ordnance awareness, aircraft searches, and unarmed self-defense techniques. Students are exposed to more than 70 use-of-force scenarios where stress is simulated using role players. Training includes instruction and realistic practical exercises in antiterrorism/force protection, weapon system security, verbal judo, combatives, tactical baton employment and advanced firearms proficiency.
Because of the terrorist attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, Phoenix Raven candidates are instructed on anti-hijacking duty in cooperation with the Federal air marshal program. Using the latest in proven technologies and methods from lessons learned and from other agencies, the qualification course is constantly updated to provide the best training possible. Phoenix Raven training is designed to provide security forces members with the skills required for their unique mission and builds on the basic security force skills taught at the Security Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
After course completion, unit program managers sustain a high level of preparedness for the Ravens through intense physical training, realistic use-of-force scenarios and written and practical evaluations. Additional courses in geographic/cultural orientation offered by the Air Force Special Operations Command are provided to increase members' awareness of cultural areas they frequently transit on missions. Combat survival and additional aircrew-specific training have been recently added to meet theater aircrew requirements.
The first Ravens graduated in February 1997. Since then, more than 2,200 Air Force security forces have graduated from the Phoenix Raven course. Graduates from the course also include members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Federal Air Marshal Service. Upon graduation, Air Force Ravens are issued a lifetime numeric identifier for their accomplishment. In addition, the identifier eases manpower and operational tracking requirements within AMC.
Call DSN 650-7329/7352 or Commercial (609) 754-7329/7352 for more details about the Phoenix Raven program.