Kern County SWAT trains at Edwards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The weather was muggy with the temperature reaching about 95 degrees. The whole neighborhood was empty. Six heavily-armed men were cautiously trying to blend with the neighborhood's silence. Only the crackling of the leaves adds to the near-stealth operation. 

As the men reached their destination, one of the men stated their business. No one answered. The team barraged the door and quickly entered the house. 

This scenario was one of the training exercises conducted here Aug. 30 by the Kern County Sheriff's Department Specialized Weapons and Tactics, which is more commonly known as SWAT. 

"The training was part of our yearly training matrix," said Sgt. Richard Wood, SWAT team leader and Mojave Substation sergeant. 

Providing realism to the SWAT team's training, Team Edwards opened a vacant section of the Mesquite Meadows housing area. The 25-man SWAT team used the neighborhood and some of the homes for their training. 

"We are training on different types of entries and searches," Sergeant Wood said. 

The SWAT team also practiced using their gas masks and night vision goggles. 

SWAT teams employ weapons regular patrolmen don't usually employ, Sergeant Wood said. 

"We are trained and equipped to resolve situations that regular patrolmen are unable to resolve," he said. "We deal with barricaded suspects, hostage situations, high-risk warrant service including marijuana growths and methamphetamine laboratories." 

Sergeant Wood said the training they conducted here was important. 

"We have to work together as a team and move together as a team," he said. "We don't do a lot of entries in our line of work, so this training is extremely important for us. We have to do it correctly and as efficiently as we can." 

He said training in a vacant neighborhood was beneficial for the SWAT team. 

"We will be able to use this whole neighborhood the way we would use a neighborhood on a SWAT call out, without having to worry civilians wandering around," Sergeant Wood said. 

He said by training in houses with the different floor plans, it provides something new and a more challenging scenario for the SWAT team. 

"We always come away with a lot of knowledge on what we have done," Sergeant Wood said. 

Opening the base for the Kern County is not new, as this is part of Edwards partnership with local agencies. 

"It is another initiative for us to enhance our working relationship with the Kern County Sheriff's Department," said Tech. Sgt. Gerardo Ventura, 95th Security Forces Squadron plans and programs noncommissioned officer in charge and law enforcement liaison. 

Since the housing is scheduled to be demolished, the squadron came up with the idea of inviting Kern County SWAT and providing them the vacant housing area as a training ground. 

"We are just using this opportunity to build upon our good working relationship," Sergeant Ventura said. "This is a good way for us to share information and ideas on how we conduct business." 

In the near future, security forces will be participating in a Kern County Sheriff's Department ride-along program, Sergeant Ventura said. 

This program will facilitate the mutual exchange of skills and knowledge that will help provide security forces an opportunity to witness first hand what a civilian officer encounters during a shift, he said. 

Meanwhile, Sergeant Wood said the base's support has been overwhelming for the SWAT team. 

"We appreciate what Team Edwards has done for us," he said. "They have been extremely supportive."