Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Members of the Boone National Guard Security Force train on entering and securing a room during an active shooter scenario in Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 30, 2014. Officers with the Frankfort Police Department facilitated the training to maximize multi-agency cohesion. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky National Guard's hub of operations at the Boone National Guard Center (BNGC) took a positive step toward safety as the Security Force, conducted their mandatory annual training, Oct. 29-30 in Frankfort, Ky. Local agencies and organizations from all around the state provided presentations, demonstrations, and exercises in all fields relating to security services.
"To combat or possibly prevent tragedies from happening here, our security force trains and trains hard with certified school instructors on all areas of expertise on the subject matter to be the very best force possible for the mission we serve," said Larry McCord, chief of security.
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Larry McCord, chief of security oversees members of the Boone National Guard Center Security Force qualifying with their pistols in Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 30, 2014. The qualification culminated two days of multi-agency security training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
McCord said his team received a wealth of knowledge, training and input from security experts. The two-day schedule of instruction included visits from the Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, the Frankfort Police Department (FPD) and the Kentucky Guard's Antiterrorism office.
After the first day of information, the team put it all into action in various areas of active shooter training techniques on day two. Frankfort Police officers trained to teach various swat tactics and techniques in active shooter responses facilitated the exercises.
Capt. Walter Martin with the FPD commended BNGC's security team, calling the interaction an advantage of multi-agency cohesion.
"This is a great group of folks, fast learners and very enthusiastic," said Martin. "The more trainees we get for these techniques, the better interoperability we will have throughout the state."
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Members of the Boone National Guard Center Security Force move to enter a building during a training exercise in Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 30, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
McCord admits his team doesn't get the opportunity to train as much as he may like, but the quality training, positive response from his officers and gratifying comments from his peers is testament of a job well done.
"To earn the respect of other agencies through training and field trials is the highest compliment this force can receive for the time, dedication, and service put into accomplishing our daily mission."
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Larry McCord, chief of security forces at the Boone National Guard Center guides a team member through pistol qualifying in Frankfort, Ky., Oct. 30, 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)