An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 8, 2026

Idaho Airmen Improve Readiness Through Qualification Training

By Airman 1st Class Sarah Welch, Idaho National Guard

GOWEN FIELD, Idaho - Airmen assigned to the 124th Fighter Wing's Security Forces Squadron participated in readiness training June 4-6 at Saylor Creek Training Range in Grasmere to maintain proficiency and strengthen skills needed to support evolving mission requirements.

This annual Security Forces Field Training Exercises, or FTX, evaluates Airmen on tactical combat skills, marksmanship, weapons qualification and air-based ground defense through multi-day simulations, ensuring Airmen remain proficient in maintaining readiness for deployment requirements and mission procedures.

The training also incorporated responding to emerging aerial threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems to address evolving risks and mission demands.

Staff Sgt. Dante Sunseri, fire team lead for the 124th Security Forces Squadron, highlighted the hybrid exercise as both qualification and sustainment training.

“We’re training Airmen to understand the full capabilities of their standard duty rifles by engaging targets at distances beyond what they typically encounter, building both confidence and proficiency,” Sunseri said. “The training also reinforces core base defense skills while introducing airfield seizure scenarios that require the application of both defensive and offensive tactics.”

Regular readiness training ensures security forces Airmen remain prepared to protect while supporting state and federal missions whenever called upon.

"This FTX is an all-encompassing training event that allows us to integrate both law enforcement officer and security operations in a single exercise,” said Master Sgt. Nicholas Bevers, alpha flight chief for the 124th Security Forces. “Preparing Airmen for missions at home and in deployed environments."

 

 

Related Articles
An Idaho Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crew conducts water bucket training near Lucky Peak Reservoir May 20, 2026. Idaho National Guard aviation crews conducted the training alongside Idaho Department of Lands personnel May 19-20 in preparation for the 2026 fire season. The Idaho Department of Lands experts employed reflective panels to simulate active fires and communicated with Army National Guard pilots to maximize the efficiency of each 530-gallon bucket of water dropped. In addition to the fleet of Black Hawks and crews standing by to support seasonal wildland firefighting efforts, Orchard Fire and Emergency Services is providing initial and refresher Wildland Firefighter 2 training to Idaho National Guard members. To date, more than 250 Idaho Guardsmen have completed the qualification course, ensuring they are ready to work fire lines in support ground operations. Photo by Mike Freeman.
Idaho Guard Trains for Wildfire Response
By Mike Freeman, | June 1, 2026
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho National Guard aviation crews conducted water bucket training alongside Idaho Department of Lands personnel May 19-20 in preparation for the 2026 fire season.The Idaho Department of Lands experts employed...

Intelligence Airmen assigned to the 224th Cyber Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, conduct defensive cyber operations on Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, May 9, 2026. Intelligence Airmen work behind the scenes to identify threats, analyze adversary activity and provide the insight cyber operators need to defend critical networks. Photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Welch.
Idaho Guard Cyber Squadron Identifies Threats, Delivers Intelligence
By Airman 1st Class Sarah Welch, | May 13, 2026
GOWEN FIELD, Idaho - Airmen with the Idaho National Guard’s 224th Cyber Operations Squadron’s Intelligence Support shop work behind the scenes every day on Gowen Field in Boise to identify threats, analyze adversary activity...

Tactical Air Control Party Airmen, or TACPs, assigned to the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, prepare for night close air support operations on April 20, 2026 at Razorback Range, near Fort Smith, Arkansas. TACPs overcome limited visibility on the battlefield through the use of night vision and infrared equipment. Photo by Tech Sergeant Joseph R. Morgan.
Idaho Guardsmen Conduct Close Air Support Training
By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Morgan, | April 27, 2026
FORT SMITH, Ark. – Tactical Air Control Party Airmen from the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, conducted close air support training at the 188th Wing’s Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee Joint...