New 820th SFG equipment helps with training

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman S.I. Fielder
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Imagine hanging from a rope approximately 25 feet in the air repeating the re-enlistment oath after your commanding officer. 

Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Vannorsdall accomplished this unordinary re-enlistment Aug. 30 during the grand-opening of the 347th Rescue Wing's rappel and fast-rope tower. 

"It felt awesome," said the chief, who also celebrated his 43rd birthday as well as his selection for command chief at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. "I'm excited about the opportunity to serve as the command chief for the 45th Space Wing. My assignment with the 820th (Security Forces Group) was one of the best in my career, and I'll always remember the outstanding Airmen I served with." 

Although the chief is leaving Moody, the tower will continue to serve with the 347th RQW confidence course as essential training equipment. The equipment, which cost approximately a half-million dollars, helps sustain the professional training of Moody's Airmen, especially the 820th SFG, said Bobby Le Fever, 820th SFG chief of operations and training. 

"We're worldwide deployable, so this will help us be ready for any scenario that may be tasked to the group or squadrons," he said. "It gives us more skill sets our people are trained on, so we can be available for any mission." 

The tower, standing more than 65 feet tall near the 820th Security Forces Group headquarters, allows Airmen to learn how to use the same techniques the pararescuemen use to exit a helicopter, said Mr. Le Fever. They also can learn how to properly rappel in and out of an area. 

"If we ever had to put a sniper on top of a roof, they would be rappel- or fast rope-trained to get onto the roof," he said. 

The confidence course, which has more than 20 different obstacles, specifically helps to build physical endurance, confidence and teamwork. 

"If someone gets over an obstacle that was intimidating before, then he can move onto something bigger or higher," said Mr. Le Fever. "We have to be able to meet the Army physical training standards because of the different courses we attend." 

To help prepare the 820th SFG Airmen for this training, the confidence course was built to Army standards. 

Taking a little over four months to complete, the confidence course is open to all Team Moody members. Use of the course must be coordinated with the 820th SFG training section so people are properly trained and all safety measures are observed. 

"The more (training equipment) available here means less time spent away from families at training," said Mr. Le Fever. "It helps save TDY money because we don't have to pay to send our combat troops to use other ranges and facilities." 

The new equipment not only saves Moody money but allows Airmen to remain proficient in several skill areas. 

"We jump out of aircraft, we jump out of helicopters, and we can rappel into the combat zone," said Col. John Decknick, 820th SFG commander. "The equipment gives us another training opportunity to perfect the way we get to work." 

For more information on using the equipment, call Master Sgt. Edward James at 257-5308 or Tech. Sgt. Richard Mulder at 257-8230.