WARRENTON, Ore. - Members of the Oregon National Guard's Counterdrug Support Program and the Salem Police's SWAT unit trained May 5 here at the Rilea Training Site.
Oregon Guardmembers trained alongside Salem's tactical police unit, using the Oregon National Guard's two Light-Armored Vehicles or LAVs.
While Oregon soldiers and airmen went through initial and refresher vehicle driver's training, law enforcement officers from Salem trained on tactical procedures related to the arrest and apprehension of high-risk offenders. The four counterdrug trainees learned basic vehicle operations maintenance, and participated in some inter-agency training with members of the Salem SWAT team.
Master Sgt. Keith Moen, the Oregon National Guard counterdrug NCO, said the LAVs allow law enforcement access to high-risk offenders they might not otherwise have.
"A lot of law enforcement agencies cannot afford armored vehicles," Moen said. "We provide that service to them."
The all-weather, all-terrain vehicles, which cost the state $630,000 each, protect occupants from small-arms weapons with a thick metal shell. The two LAVs were delivered to Oregon in 1996, and have been used in over 200 law enforcement-related missions.
The vehicle can carry up to eight occupants, in addition to a driver and a tactical commander. Once drivers understand the basic operations of the nearly 25-ton, eight-wheeled, armored vehicle, driving it is much like operating a large truck, Moen said.
Master Sgt. Chris Sewell, an intelligence analyst for the Counterdrug Support Program, and vehicle tactical commander, says Rilea is the perfect place to conduct this training.
"The wide-open spaces, different types of terrain, and the MOUT site give us lots of opportunity to practice," said Sewell. "Rilea covers everything for us."
Sewell, an Oregon Air National Guardsman, said the LAV acts as a ‘force-multiplier,' providing law enforcement with a very effective visual deterrent to high-risk individuals. While it looks like a tank, it's strictly a defensive vehicle, he said.
"It's there to provide protection and support to law enforcement," Sewell said. "But then again, it's very intimidating. You know it's going to be a bad day when this vehicle shows up on your property."
Sewell said there have been instances where dangerous suspects have simply given up as soon as the LAV moves onto their property, even with the SWAT members still inside.
"Law enforcement hasn't even exited the vehicle, and the bad guys are already giving up," Sewell said with a chuckle.
Sgt. Mike Johnson, Team Leader, and 16-year member of the Salem Police Department, said working closely with the Oregon National Guard has been rewarding.
"When it comes to the LAV and the crews that drive them, their motivation and professionalism is second to none," he said.
He adds that the ability for Oregon soldiers and airmen to train alongside local law enforcement officials is important to officers' safety.
"If we didn't have access to this equipment, we would be putting a lot of our guys at risk," Johnson said.
Moreover, the ongoing training has built a solid relationship between the agencies, Johnson said. Because training time is so valuable, every minute counts, he added.
"We understand each other's training regimen, so there's very little down-time," Johnson said. "Because we train together on a habitual basis, (the Guard) knows exactly what we need to accomplish."
Johnson can't help but highlight the added intimidation factor of having a military vehicle at their disposal.
"It brings an element of confidence to us, and a little bit of fear to those who are looking out their windows as us," he said. That's definitely an advantage to us, and we'll take any advantage we can to the battle we fight."
In addition to law enforcement, the LAVs have also been used extensively for search and rescue. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the two LAVs were sent to New Orleans to assist with 9-1-1 emergency calls and rescue operations.