Multipurpose training site set to open Published Dec. 18, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Shelby Horn 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In January 2016, a new training site will open at Travis Air Force Base, California. The 60th Security Forces Squadron multipurpose training site will enable emergency responders from Travis as well as local and federal law enforcement agencies to train together and integrate operations. It was developed using the Air Force Community Partnership program, which aims to offer opportunities to level resources and capabilities of installations, state and local communities to achieve mutual value and benefits. The process taps into the intellectual capital and entrepreneurial spirit of installation and community leaders to accomplish the Air Force mission and address the needs of the Airmen. "It's about finding creative ways to keep accomplishing the Air Force mission," said Maj. Joshua Ligday, Secretary of the Air Force installation and environment logistics partnership broker. "The program is used Air Force wide to help bases and communities form ideas and partnerships that generate mutual benefit." To gain funding from the AFCP, installation and community leaders must commit to using the partnership process which involves a series of seven workshops scheduled over the course of six to eight months, during which requirements and stakeholders are identified and then defined in adequate detail. Resources are pinpointed, a timeline is created and then the community and installation act. The partnership then returns quarterly to provide enduring strategic oversight, updates and as-needed training. In this case, the project was the joint training compound. "This compound will provide a site for first responders and emergency responders (security and law enforcement, fire, medical and emergency ordinance disposal communities) to utilize to collectively train together," said Maj. Jearl Allmon, 60th Security Forces Squadron commander. "No longer will medical be training separately from fire who is training separately from security, we will all be training together to make sure we can do business together." Training at the compound will be flexible to meet scheduling and be able to host numerous scenarios, such as hostage situations, active shooters, casualty response and drug and bomb detection. The Air Force requires reoccurring training and certification on these and other scenarios, for both in-garrison and forward deployed locations. It will also allow military working dogs and their handlers an opportunity to gain training and certifications. "We will be able to practice with the local community as well, such as joint-active shooter responses," Allman said. "We'll be able to train together to accurately respond to any threat, we'll be able to communicate and work together at all times." Allman is excited about what this will do for Travis and the community. "The benefit it's going to give my defenders, the skill sets they'll learn and the continuity and ongoing relationship it's going to form with our community partners is what I'm most looking forward to," Allman said. The big thing to remember is the site is not just for law enforcement. "Security Forces will obviously get a lot of use out of it, but it will be used by many agencies," said Capt. Matthew McGinnis, 60th SFS operations officer. "The 349th Air Mobility Wing and the 621st Contingency Response Group have expressed interest in the site as well as 16 local and federal agencies; it will really be a community site." The compound has also brought together other members of Travis. "The site was basically a big water pit when we started," Ligday said. "The 60th and 349th Civil Engineer Squadrons came together, leveled and prepared the site, providing training and costs savings while doing so." The modular units and the site preparation was paid for by the Air Force and any maintenance or repair for the compound will be paid for by the local community, which is estimated to save at least $10,000 a year in associated costs. Not only will the Air Force save costs on the compound, the local community will as well. "It may take about a year to figure out the numbers, but local responders will no longer need to travel long distances at other sites, they can now train locally," Allman said. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the compound is being planned for mid-January.