352nd gets lesson on antiterrorism

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Marelise Wood
  • 352nd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 352nd Special Operations Group hosted the Dynamics of International Terrorism Level I Antiterrorism Awareness Training recently at the base theater.

The goal of the course is to be a basic anti-terrorism course, structured to inform Department of Defense members and their families about the organization and motivation of terrorist groups and the threat they cause, according to facilitator Capt. Joseph Bincarousky, U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

"The emphasis is placed on personal protection methods that individuals can use to mitigate those threats," he said.

Speakers from around the world instructed more than 200 participants from all branches of the service from Team Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath, and the surrounding areas on topics including terrorism around the world, force protection, and improvised explosive devices.

"The most moving part of the training for me came from those who had suffered the greatest from terrorism, including Maj. Gen. (ret.) James Dozier, who was kidnapped by the Italian Red Brigade; his daughter Col. (ret.) Cheryl Dozier; Mr. Richard Melhart, who survived the Pan Am 73 hijacking; and Mr. Wes Wong, who was present at the World Trade Center on Sept 11th, 2001," said Staff Sgt. Tara Stacy-Smith, 352d Operations Support Squadron and one of the main local organizers of the event.

The course is offered by the special operations community and is held primarily at Hurlburt Field, but also rotates among other locations where special operations units are located. It was last offered at RAF Mildenhall three years ago.