ANSBACH, Germany (February 9, 2023) – Active shooter training is an integral part of the annual training schedule for U.S. Army military police and German police forces alike.
U.S. Military Police, German Rapid Reaction Forces (USK) and Ansbach city police practiced different approaches in a joint active shooter training Feb. 9 at Storck Barracks, Illesheim. During this training, the law enforcement representatives of the two nations discovered similarities and some identical procedures in their approaches to the scenario.
Members of the USAG Ansbach Military Police and German law enforcement personnel met on site at the currently vacant Storck elementary school, which is a perfect setting for this kind of training. As Joerg Burkel, instructor of the German Rapid Reaction Forces expressed: “Being able to train in this realistic environment of an elementary school with our U.S. partners is a great opportunity.“ He went on to say, “We routinely train for active shooter scenarios, but we can still learn from the different approach of the Military Police.”
Staff Sgt. Joshua Bennett, Training Non-commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for the Directorate of Emergency Services at USAG Ansbach led the training. He actively engaged all participants as they walked the school building and simultaneously learned tactics and procedures to follow during an active shooter situation.
USK members demonstrated their own methods, which slightly differ from the Military Police approach, but could be advantageous in certain situations.
Simone Wiesenberg, of the Ansbach Polizei was impressed by the professional training. “I specifically brought some of our younger colleagues, who have not been in a joint training. This is a great experience for them, and at the same they are able to engage their Military Police colleagues in a training setting.”
To her, training collaboration is very important: “We know, that personal interaction with the Military Police and the USK in a training environment leads to better communication and cooperation in real live incidents.”
After a morning of instruction and a bag lunch, all participants joined the hands-on active shooter training in the realistic setting of an elementary school.
Staff Sgt. Bennett concluded at the end of the day, “A great training day for USAG Ansbach MPs and our valuable German partners.”
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