374th SFS Members train for upcoming Advanced Combat Skills Assessment

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Logan Hotchkin, 374th Security Forces Squadron training instructor, practices firing during Advanced Combat Skills Assessment training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2024. The event bolsters Defender ethos, strengthens esprit-de-corps amongst all participants and reinforces the competitive nature within the Security Forces, all while showcasing the combat capability of Security Forces as a human weapon system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dorrean Starks, 374th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, practices firing during Advanced Combat Skills Assessment training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2024. Each Pacific Air Forces Security Forces unit and participating partner nations may compete in the ACSA with one team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

374th SFS Members train for upcoming Advanced Combat Skills Assessment

Published May 23, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith
374th Airlift Wing

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

Defenders from the 374th Security Forces Squadron completed their final days of extensive training in preparation for the Advanced Combat Skills Assessment in Guam at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 13-14, 2024.

Two airmen stand by a television, with on holding a radio. — U.S. Air ForceAirman 1st Class David Lozano, left, and Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Moylan, 374th Communications Squadron radio frequency transmission technicians, brief security forces members on proper radio etiquette at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2024. Airmen from the 374th Security Forces Squadron trained for their upcoming Advanced Combat Skills Assessment in Guam with physical training, combatives, radio troubleshooting, weapons knowledge and firing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexzandra Gracey)

ACSA is an annual training event designed to test the physical endurance and core operational skills of Pacific Air Forces Security Forces and selected partner nations.

“The event is voluntary for the Airmen in our squadron, and we hold tryouts 30 days before the challenge,” said Airman 1st Class Ahtziri Sanchez, 374th Security Forces Squadron installation entry controller. “Whoever is willing to try out will test in the different aspects of the challenge, including a 3-mile run with events in full kits.”

The teams are composed of four Security Forces Defenders, three men and one woman, and accompanied by an NCO who acts as a coach and possible team alternate. These Defenders compete with numerous other teams from around the PACAF Area of Responsibility, and convene at Anderson Air Base, Guam May 20-24, 2024, to compete.

A hand reaches for ammunition. — U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dorrean Starks, loads a magazine with rounds during Advanced Combat Skills Assessment training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2024. These Airmen trained for the upcoming ACSA, which is designed to test weapons proficiency, dismounted operations, physical agility and military working dog employment will be utilized to evaluate the teams. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

374th SFS attend this event annually and are able to use the ACSA as an avenue to improve their skills in a competitive way that promotes overall team bonding.

“The fitness assessment is essentially just like a PT test with a few other workouts incorporated,” said Senior Airman Dorrean Starks, 374th Security Forces Squadron patrolman. “We do ammo can lifts, sit-ups, hand release pushups, and a 1.5-mile run.”

Competing Defenders also test their skills in combatives, land navigation, radio troubleshooting, weapons knowledge and firing. All of these skills will be evaluated between the competing teams, with winners being acknowledged at the end of the event.

“I definitely think we’re going to place high, we put in a lot of work, and as long as we don’t quit, I’ll be proud,” said Sanchez. “This kind of event teaches you that you can definitely do more than you think.”