FORT STEWART, Ga. - After a loud, simulated explosion, military and civilian police officers move cautiously into the Hunter Shoot House wearing full protective gear and carrying weapons. Their mission is united -- clear the room and neutralize the enemy.
Beginning April 16, ten officers from the City of Miami Police Department and 15 Soldiers from the 385th Military Police Battalion's Special Reaction Team practiced this scenario and others during four days of joint training at Hunter Army Airfield. Their shared objective was to enhance their ability to protect lives and to increase their effectiveness against enemy threats.
The partnership between the two groups began with Sgt. Leandro Abad, a police officer with the City of Miami Police Department's Canine/Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Department.
While visiting friends in Hinesville, the officer approached Capt. Warren Bannister, assistant operations officer, 385th MP Bn., about the prospect of joint training. The two agreed; getting together would allow them to share their collective knowledge and skills.
The military's Special Reaction Teams are virtually the same as the civilian sector's Special Weapons and Tactics Teams, according to Sgt. Charles Patilo, Alpha Team leader, 385th MP Bn., who participated in the exercise. Manuals used at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. are much like those used to teach civilian law enforcement counterparts.
Weapons used by the civilian and military's domestic mission are also similar.
Both groups use ballistic shields, breaching equipment, thermal beric torches, ballistic helmets, protective vests, gloves and eye protection. But there are some differences that make training together beneficial.
"I wanted to train with the Army's finest," said Sgt. Abad, adding that he had full approval to pursue the Fort Stewart MPs from the City of Miami Police Department Police Chief Manny Orosa. "Soldiers get exposure to situations and learn things downrange-- such as terrorist tactics -- that we don't."
Their method for flushing out enemies is also different. While deployed, MPs may use crew-served weapons, for example, machine guns, mortars and mounted grenade launchers, as well as artillery, armor and air support in their wartime mission. But civilian police use more conventional approaches to flush out enemies and more face-to-face interaction with hand-held weapons.
Sergeant Abad said the MPs showed his police officers a new technique during the training. "When they stormed the shoot house to flush out enemies, they incorporated their K-9 working dogs. That's something we don't normally do."
The civilian police force also shared some techniques they use with street crimes and felony offenders that take place in urban environments, according to Sgt. Stanley Daniels, a Miami Police Department K-9 dog handler who brought five canines with him to train. The felony offenders are involved in crimes that range from drug trafficking and robberies to gang violence and murders.
Throughout the week, Sgt. Daniels demonstrated the skills of his K-9s in finding drugs and explosives and uncovering criminals who hide in residential and commercial buildings.
"When it comes to confiscating drugs, the civilian police force works a lot faster than MPs," said Sgt. Patilo. "That's to prevent drug suspects from destroying evidence."
Two military working dogs were part of the training, said Capt. Bannister. Like the civilian dogs, the K-9s participated in simulated scenarios, practicing their skills and commands such as 'pursue' or 'retreat' and others.
"It's my responsibility to look for fresh perspectives and approaches to problem solving," said Capt. Bannister. "These joint exercises provide the best training possible for Soldiers to practice initial entry into a structure, clearing it, and the final 360 degree post-field phase of an operation. One of the most important things we practiced was our communication skills. Good communication promotes teamwork and is crucial in accomplishing the mission."
Sergeant Patilo also benefited from the training.
"I learned to hold my weapon in a way that gets me a more accurate shot," said Sgt. Patilo. "I also practiced my stance and position reaction as we exited the shoot house and I improved at anticipating how my battle buddies would exit."
Although his military team performs a little differently from his civilian counterparts, Sgt. Patilo said they have the same mission and the same goal.
"We want to be sure we get our subject," he said. "We also want to enter [a facility] safely and come out alive."
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