Airman optimizes mission readiness by enhancing AF Combatives Master Program
Story by Jesenia Landaverde 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Animated fighter jets roar across the sky as Duke, the G.I. Joe Team first sergeant, and his band of highly-trained special mission operatives fight for freedom against the Cobra organization, their arch-enemy. The theme song, “A Real American Hero,” starts to play through the television set, inspiring five-year-old Jarad Underwood. U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Underwood, 22nd Training Squadron Advanced Skills Training NCO in charge, is the first and only person in the Department of Defense who is eligible to teach combatives to all servicemembers, despite their military affiliation. Underwood began his military service in the Marine Corps as an infantryman in 2002, where he received his introduction to combatives by participating in the Marine Corps Martial Arts program. “I started combatives in the MCMA program and I was able to earn my green belt before I separated in 2006,” said Underwood. “I continued to trai...