Crowd control: Nellis forces don't clown around Published July 14, 2006 By 1st Lt. Jon Stock Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nellis Airmen participated in an Office of Special Investigations exercise Tuesday at the rear hospital gate as mock protestors attempted to push their way through a barricade line. Security forces personnel and OSI agents simulated the procedures that must be taken if a peaceful demonstration outside the gates quickly escalates into a breach-of-base. In a quarterly exercise that hits different Air Force bases, more than 20 volunteers participated as protestors wearing clown clothing and carrying signs, demonstrating their anger with the military. The two-part exercise allowed security forces' Airmen to practice crowd control and riot procedures while OSI agents practiced disbanding demonstrations by gathering intelligence on the protestors while attempting to resolve it peacefully, said Maj. Eric Seibold, OSI special agent. "To determine the extent of security forces personnel needed in a real-world, riot situation, you need to first understand the nature and size of the protest," said Capt. Gerald Mulhollen, 99th Security Forces Squadron operations officer. "Usually this information can be gathered from OSI, outside sources or media before the protestors even show up." When possible threats exist, security forces personnel will suit up in riot gear and perform crowd control, using the least amount of force necessary. "Our security forces' technical school helped prepare us for situations similar to this, which may arise and taught us to stand up straight and keep our composure because protestors will likely look for a weakness within the line," said Airman Gary Stein, 99th SFS security-response-team leader. Once a breach exists, security will apprehend the demonstrators who cross the line and take them away for interrogation that may help to resolve later demonstrations, said Agent Seibold. "Overall, the exercise was a success as excessive force was not needed, and everyone demonstrated professionalism on the line," said Captain Mulhollen. "If this were a real-world situation, our security would be ready in case of a breach at Nellis," he said.
