State-of-the-art simulator trains security for real life situations

By Penny Randall

Staff Writer - The Skyline

MASN Michael Finnegan and MA3 Dusty Rowden are standing watch at the front gate of a secured military facility when a visibly upset female in civilian clothing approaches them demanding access. Finnegan and Rowden try to calm the female as they ask for her identification. She refuses and demands to be let through the gate. When she is again denied, the female exposes a large knife that she was holding concealed in her right hand.  The two security personnel are now forced to protect themselves by raising their service pistol and M16 rifle. They continue to use their voices to forcibly demand that the female lowers her knife and gets on the ground.  The women refuses and charges toward them with the knife. Finnegan and Rowden are forced to eliminate the threat of bodily harm by shooting the female.

The above circumstances were not real, but a simulation that felt very genuine to NAS Meridian security personnel Finnegan and Rowden as they experienced the new state-of-the-art PRISim System for the first time since it was installed on board NAS Meridian in January.  The PRISim System is a simulator that produces exceptionally realistic video-based environments for all aspects of firearms handling including marksmanship, decision-making and tactical strategies. The system utilizes broadcast-quality DVD technology to create vivid digital environments that are “as close as you can get to the real thing.”  “It’s an asset to us – most definitely,” MASN Finnegan said. “We experienced something similar to this in “A” school, but nothing this realistic.”

Nearly 100 percent of the 60-member NAS Meridian Security Team, including military and DoD officers, have experienced some training on the new simulator under the supervision of one of four of Security’s own personnel.  Earlier this year, Lt. Eric Scott, MA1 James Pelgen, MA1 Marvin McDonald and GM1 Jonathan Iman completed a required three-day course that certified them as instructors on the PRISim System. Retired FBI Agent John Wills as the course instructor.

“This is by far the best fire arms simulator on the market,” said MA1 Pelgen. “It is the most interactive and realistic up-to-date training out there.”  At a cost of about $100,000, the PRISim System is similar to ones already set up at military bases in Jacksonville and Pensacola, Fla. The simulator comes equipped with special a 9mm service pistol and a M16 riffle. The two weapons feel, weigh and look the same as actual military hardware. The only differences are the air-compressed bullets that each weapon uses and the fact that the weapons have infrared lasers.

On board NAS, standardized training on the simulator for security personnel is scheduled at least once a week, but the simulator is open to security personnel when they have free time.

The simulator delivers all the hard realities of a real operational encounter. The judgment calls, indecision, sudden fear, partial understanding and blindside surprise response are all part of the training experience that conditions the trainee for survival in the real world.  Based upon the trainee's verbal responses, the instructor can alter each scenarios outcome. This means that every situation has multiple endings so the trainee is not going on memorization.  More than 100 scenarios are loaded on a transportable laptop computer, which is controlled by one of the instructor. Scenarios range from domestic violence and water-born accidents to airfields and suicide bombers.  “In some situations you can’t understand the criminals because they are not speaking English,” said GM1 Iman.  To add the level of realism, the PRISim® System can integrate a patented “ShootBack®” cannon that simulates hostile fire.  “Actual paintball pelts are used in the ShootBack® option,” Pelgen said. “This is not meant to hurt the trainee, but to make them aware that they are or are not using cover and concealment properly.”

Another important tool of the program is the video capture recording feature.“This feature allows us to critique ourselves,” Pelgen said. “When you’re in the mindset you don’t think about the instructor sitting behind you with a computer. It’s you against the bad guys.”  GM1 Iman adds, “The recording feature is a great tool. It allows me to see how my body reacts in certain situations. My hearts beats faster and my pulse races just like it was real – it’s that realistic.”

Press Contact
Advanced Interactive Systems
Phone: 1-800-441-4487 email: info@ais-sim.com