126th, 375th SFS/LRS participate in non-lethal weapons training Published Sept. 22, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Gwendalyn Smith 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill -- -- The United States Transportation Command Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate organized a non-lethal weapons training and demonstration Sept. 8 at the Illinois National Guard training center in Sparta. Overall, 27 attendees took part in the training to include members of the 126th Security Forces Squadron and the 375th SFS and Logistics Readiness Squadron. Attendees were trained on various forms of tasers, less lethal launchers, and non-lethal Claymore. When law enforcement face aggressive, violent or hostile people, they must be able to react with a proportional response. The use of lethal force is the last resort. Between the baton and firearms, less lethal systems are the intermediate solution. “We do this demo once a year to get people familiarized on the non-lethal weapons that are available to us,” said Sloan Cox, the non-lethal weapons liaison for USTC. “The whole point is to make people aware and familiarize them with ways to stop an assailant without committing to deadly force.” During the training, personnel were also given a demonstration by Integrity Ballistics of the Burns 1401 round, also known as the “pancake round.” Rather than keeping its shape as other rounds do, this bullet flattens like a pancake across the target’s body on impact. The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons instructors gave a demo on the M5 Modular Crowd Control Munition. This weapon is employed to temporarily incapacitate individuals and for crowd dispersion. Overall, attendees learned the importance and capabilities of non-lethal weapons and their role in the Department of Defense. “In addition to providing a less lethal environment, NL weapons provide the tools necessary in the ‘escalation of force,’ and can often preclude lethal events,” said Michael Durnavich, Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate program analyst. “There is always a moment or time to do something better. Many can benefit from the education and knowledge of NL weapons and policies.”