The 325th Security Forces Squadron partnered with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Stock Enterprises LLC to conduct police pursuit training utilizing a grappler system at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 21, 2021.
The grappler system is a new piece of equipment Defenders use to assist in their continued efforts in protecting and serving Airmen and the local community.
“The utilization of the grappler system adds another layer to the [Installation Integrated Defense Plan] by giving Defenders another tool to stop would be gate runners or hostile actors,” said Tech. Sgt. Phillip Hembree, 325th SFS resource advisor.
Approximately 18 miles of U.S. Highway 98 runs through Tyndall. Security forces members and civilian law enforcement agencies share jurisdiction of the highway, performing continuous training to enhance the security and safety of the communities.
“Having this system installed and clearly visible presents a significant deterrent,” said Hembree.
Stock Enterprises has been contracted by multiple bases since Beale Air Force Base, California, first acquired a grappler in 2018. There are approximately 17 grapplers in use at installations across the Air Force.
“The system utilizes a netting which leashes to a subject’s rear vehicle tire,” Hembree said. “It will then wrap around [the tire] utilizing the forward momentum of the tire forcing the tire to seize up resulting in the vehicle to be immobilized.”
In addition to the BCSO, Defenders worked with the inventor of the grappler product to ensure proper training techniques were passed to the unit.
“Creating and fostering a relationship with local law enforcement entities is a crucial element of securing Tyndall,” said Hembree.
Allowing security forces members the chance to see the grappler system in action gives context and provides a well-rounded understanding of how, when, where and why to employ the grappler.
“Conducting these joint training exercises and demonstrations sets a framework of how each organization operates and training methodologies,” Hembree said. “This enable Defenders and other law enforcement agencies to be in sync during joint responses where time is of the essence.”
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