MacDill hosts B.O.A.T.

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Ellis
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Twenty-four-seven, three-sixty- five, guarding our 7.2 miles of coastline is the first priority on their mind. As the only Air Force marine patrol unit that never closes, MacDill Air Force base 6th Security Forces Squadron Marine Patrol relentlessly secures our borders.

The 6th SFS Marine Patrol added to their preparation by taking part in a strenuous five-day-long National Association of State Boat Law Administrators Boat Operations and Training/Certification course June 6 to 10. They were accompanied by police officers from Charleston Joint-Base, S.C. and Cape Canaveral Department of the Air Force police officers.

The Boat Operation Training course was derived from the training framework the U.S. Coast Guard utilizes. Additionally, NABSLA is the only association recognized by the Coast Guard to provide boat certification and training.

Cost alone could not account for the bountiful training and experience attendees received. Skills acquired include: Crew Efficiency Factors and Team Coordination, Physical Fitness and Survival, Boat Nomenclature and Stability, Boat Handling, Navigation and Mission-Oriented Operations.

"The NASBLA training provided our marine patrol with vital crewmember training and enhanced their ability to apply the training to our real world mission," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Velez, 6th SFS Marine Patrol Noncommissioned Officer in Charge.

This training represents the future direction of the 6th SFS Marine Patrol.

"The course has provided us with a basis for standardized training and a solid foundation to build on," said Sergeant Velez, who was a member of the marine patrol unit here when it was activated in 2001. "Hopefully, it will set the standard for other Air Force marine patrol units to follow."