Phoenix Raven

Air Mobility Command’s Phoenix Raven program, implemented in 1997, consists of teams of specially trained U.S. Air Force Security Forces personnel dedicated to providing security for AMC aircraft that transit high terrorist and criminal threat areas.

Detect RAVEN teams are designed to discover attempts to access or damage Air Force aircraft.

Protect RAVEN teams defend AF aircraft and personnel (anti-hijack role) from terrorist, criminal, and foreign intelligence threats.

Inform RAVEN team members provide FP advice to aircraft commanders (ACs) concerning individual protective measures when traveling in high threat areas.

Communicate RAVEN teams will immediately notify MAJCOM/SF if they are not successful in the first two objectives or when issues arise the team cannot address through the AC.

Report RAVEN teams will compile clear and accurate reports on the security situation at transited airfields.

Mission

The Phoenix Raven program ensures an acceptable level of close-in security for aircraft transiting airfields where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter local threats. The definition of a Raven, according to Tech. Sgt. Kelly Tabor, [ [http://www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?storyID=123018785 Phoenix Raven training highlights needs of today's SF ] ] Raven course instructor, is

“An Airman, Sailor or Soldier who has readily accepted the responsibility to ensure the success of our force protection mission. They are all volunteers and are prepared to travel at a moment’s notice anywhere around the world to protect Department of Defense assets for as long as it takes to complete the mission.”

Concept of operations

Teams of two to four specially trained and equipped security forces personnel deploy as aircrew members on AMC missions as designated by the AMC Threat Working Group. The Raven teams help detect, deter and counter threats to AMC aircraft by performing close-in aircraft security; advising aircrews on force protection measures; conducting airfield assessments; and assisting aircrews in the performance of their duties when not performing their primary security duties. Phoenix Raven teams work on all types of AMC airlift missions including theater support missions, contingencies, exercises or deployments. Other Air Force major commands, including Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Air Forces in Europe have sent a select number of security force members to AMC’s Phoenix Raven training course. In addition to those missions specifically identified by the AMC/TWG, wing commanders may also direct Phoenix Raven teams accompany home-station airlift and tanker missions. Ultimately however, a Phoenix Raven team on an airlift mission is an assigned aircrew member and reports to the aircraft commander. [ [http://www.amc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=238 Fact Sheets: Phoenix Raven] ]

Organization

The HQ AMC Director of Security Forces is the focal point for all Phoenix Raven operations supporting AMC airlift operations. On behalf of the AMC/SF Director, a Phoenix Raven Program Manager serves within the staff as the interface between the headquarters’ staff and the units. In addition to the Raven Program Manager, the AMC/SF Contingency Branch coordinates with other major commands and Air Reserve Component Security Forces to ensure Raven-trained personnel are available at overseas en route locations to support AMC missions unexpectedly diverted.

AMC has over 200, active-duty Raven trained security forces members assigned at bases nationwide. A small portion of the trained force is maintained at Little Rock AFB and Dyess AFB and at limited bases within the European and Pacific Theaters. Besides the active-duty corps, the AFRES and ANG community also maintain Raven trained personnel to support their significant contribution to the airlift missions throughout the world.

Training

Students in the Air Mobility Warfare Center’s Phoenix Raven program face many challenges in their quest to attain a coveted security forces Raven patch. The Phoenix Ravens sole training course is conducted by the 421st Ground Combat Readiness Squadron, Air Mobility Warfare Center (AMWC), Fort Dix, N.J. The intensive two-week, 14-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. The students receive nearly 130 hours of instructional training during their nearly three weeks of training. There is more than 50 hours of classroom academics along with anti-terrorism training, pressure point control techniques and sections on the collapsible baton and on weapons. In addition, the students have to pass a rigorous physical training regimen. It includes accomplishing 54 sit-ups in two minutes for both men and women, 49 push-ups for men and 25 for women in two minutes, and a two-mile run that has to be at least 16 minutes, 15 seconds for men, and 19 minutes, 18 seconds for women. [ [http://www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?storyID=123018785 Phoenix Raven training highlights needs of today's SF ] ] 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 343rd Training Squadron, also known as the Security Forces Academy.

The first Ravens graduated AMWC in February 1997. Since then, more than 1500 [ [http://public.mcguire.amc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123056300 McGuire Air Force Base Raven ] ] Air Force security forces have graduated from the Phoenix Raven Course. Upon graduation, graduates are issued a lifetime numeric identifier for their accomplishment. From start to finish in the training, camaraderie is emphasized among the students. They march together in formation between classes and they exercise together. They essentially work together in nearly every aspect of the course. [ [http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,98534,00.html?ESRC=airforcenews.RSS Phoenix Raven Airmen are a Special Breed ] ]

History

The Raven program came into existence after two children stowed away in the wheel well of an unsecured C-141 in Mongolia and an aircraft guarded by host nation forces was damaged at a Senegalese airfield. The Commander of AMC determined that although geographic commanders had overall force protection (FP) responsibility in their areas of responsibility, providing adequate FP was problematic in locations without a U.S. military presence. [ [http://cache.search.yahoo-ht2.akadns.net/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=us+air+force+phoenix+raven&fr=yfp-t-501&rs=0&u=afsf.lackland.af.mil/Policy/AFSFC/AFI31-104.pdf&w=us+air+force+forces+phoenix+raven+ravens&d=aMVUFC72RIHu&icp=1&.intl=us Air Force RAVEN Progam ] ] In the aftermath of the Khobar Towers bombing in 1996 and as a result of other serious events around the world, the former AMC Commander Gen Walter Kross AMC commander, and former 436th Airlift Wing commander, directed implementation of the Phoenix Raven Program in February 1997 under the leadership of former AMC Security Forces director and Air Force security forces officer, Col. Lawrence 'Rocky' Lane. Colonel Lane started the Raven program in 1997 and earned him the title Raven #1 after graduating in the first Raven class that same year. [ [http://www.dover.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123082418 What it means to be a Raven ] ] Since then, Ravens from within the command and Raven-trained security forces from outside the command, have accompanied over 1,900 AMC missions to international hot spots around the globe.

Recognition

As a group, the Phoenix Raven program has been identified for the innovative approach to force protection. In 1999, the program earned honors as DoD’s Most Outstanding Antiterrorism Innovation or Action in the command category. The program also received the Federal Executive Board (St. Louis Chapter) Year 2000 Team Performance Award. Since the Phoenix Raven have been an integral part of the Threat Working Group process, AMC Staff Members have been honored for their contribution to the Air Force and AMC intelligence community for planning and executing Phoenix Raven missions. In addition to program management awards, three members assigned to AMC/SF were awarded the Air Force’s Outstanding Intelligence Contributor Award.

See also

* Security Forces
* Federal Air Marshal Service
* Air Mobility Command
* Fort Dix
* McGuire Air Force Base
* United States Air Force Expeditionary Center

References