319th Operations Group airmen certify as Air Force Combatives Program Basic Instructors Published July 10, 2026 By Airman 1st Class Nailah Pacheco 319th Reconnaissance Wing GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airmen assigned to the 319th Operations Group completed a 40-hour Air Force Combatives Program Basic Instructor Course June 22 to 26, 2026, here. The five-day course, led by instructors from the 5th Combat Communications Group at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, combined classroom instruction with hands-on training to develop hand-to-hand combat skills and prepare participants to safely teach fundamental combatives techniques. By bringing the course to Grand Forks AFB, the instructors provided Airmen the opportunity to complete the instructor qualification locally while helping strengthen the installation’s future combatives training capability. “We came to Grand Forks to teach the Basic Instructor Course because there wasn’t an instructor here to teach it,” said Staff Sgt. Parker Dickman, Air Force Combatives Program basic instructor assigned to the 5th CCG. “After completing the course, these Airmen will be able to teach the basic-level Air Force combatives curriculum.” During the course, Airmen learned offensive and defensive techniques in the classroom before applying those skills during practical training. The instructors emphasized confidence, discipline, teamwork and the warrior ethos while preparing participants to respond effectively in close-combat situations. “The biggest thing I hope participants take away from this training is the mindset,” said Senior Airman Myron Benavente, Air Force Combatives Program senior instructor assigned to the 5th CCG. “It reinforces the warrior ethos and teaches Airmen to become an asset rather than a liability.” Upon successful completion of the course, participants earned the Basic Instructor Course qualification, allowing them to support future combatives training within their units. The training also helps expand the number of qualified instructors available to sustain the program and strengthen readiness across the installation. “It gives you the ability to teach somebody else, and it gives you exposure to how the Air Force expects you to perform and defend yourself in combat,” said 1st Lt. Elizardo Sosa, RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 pilot assigned to the 348th Reconnaissance Squadron. The newly qualified instructors will expand combatives training opportunities for the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, and provide more airmen access to basic warfighting skills necessary to build high-end readiness and support Dept. of War priorities.