Phoenix Raven

Phoenix Raven is a program of the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command. Founded in 1997, it consists of teams of two to six U.S. Air Force Security Forces personnel who provide security for aircraft outside the United States where airfield security is unknown or additional security is needed/requested.

Despite the Phoenix Raven program being established by AMC other Air Force major commands, including Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Air Forces in Europe have sent security force members to the Phoenix Raven course.

Organization

The Headquarters AMC/A7F Chief, Security Forces, is the focal point for all Phoenix Raven operations supporting AMC airlift operations. On behalf of AMC/A7F, a Phoenix Raven Program Manager serves within the staff as the interface between the headquarters and units. In addition to the Raven Program Manager, the AMC/A7F 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 more than 200, active-duty Raven-trained security forces members assigned at major AMC bases nationwide. Besides active-duty, the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard also maintain Raven-trained personnel to support their significant contribution to the airlift missions throughout the world.

Training

The Phoenix Raven course is conducted by the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. The two-week course covers such subjects as cross-cultural awareness, legal considerations, embassy operations, airfield survey techniques, IED awareness, aircraft searches, and unarmed self-defense techniques. Students are exposed to more than 70 use of force scenarios where stress is simulated through the use of role players. Training includes instruction and realistic practical exercises in "verbal judo", weapons retention, baton training, and advanced firearms training. As a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks Phoenix Raven candidates are taught anti-hijacking techniques in cooperation with the Federal Air Marshal program.

The first Ravens graduated AMWC in February 1997. Since then, more than 2,000 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 completing the course. In addition, the identifier eases manpower and operational tracking requirements within AMC.

History

In the aftermath of the insurgent Towers bombing in 1996 and as a result of other serious events around the world, former AMC Commander Gen. Walter Kross implemented the Phoenix Raven program in February 1997. Since then, Ravens from within the command and Raven-trained security forces from outside the command, have accompanied more than 6,000 missions around the globe.

Recognition

The USS Cole Commission panel recognized the Phoenix Raven program as the best antiterrorism program and recommended that other Department of Defense agencies benchmark its success. 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. In addition to program management awards, four members assigned to the AMC/A7F Security Forces Operations Division have been awarded the Air Force's Outstanding Intelligence Contributor Award.

External links

• Official Factsheet