1/27 DEFENDING THE DEFENDERS: Counterterrorism subject of class for local officers

By STEPHEN FARRIS/Daily Sun Staff

Defensive tactics instructors from several law enforcement agencies across the state, gathered in Corsicana this week to receive additional training in the area of counter-terrorism techniques held at the Navarro College Police Academy.

The class was conducted by the ISI Training Center (specializing in countering global terrorism) with instructor Avi Nardia, a former intelligence team member of the Yamam, Israel's premier counter-terror (takeover) unit -- the Yamam are equivalent to the U.S. Delta Force and F.B.I. Counter Terror units.

In a brief biography, Nardia taught defensive tactics and operational behavior at the Operational Police Academy in Israel, which is charged with training the entire police force of the country.

Nardia is considered one of the top instructors of CQB (close quarters battle) -- Defensive Tactics, used by the Israeli Army and police, and is considered one of the top instructors in the Israeli Krav Maga.

"All instructors come from tactical units out of Israel," Nardia said. "Each instructor has been trained in the use of Kapap -- Israeli CQB and Martial art."

Nardia said he has taught classes around the world, but today he was teaching law enforcement officers techniques concerning guns in which they learn different ways of disarming a gun from a perpetrator, field of fire, understanding weapon's, and team work.

During a portion of the class, Nardia stressed the importance of law enforcement officers carrying the same types of weapons, and working as one unit.

"When faced with a situation such as a gun battle, you don't want to carry one type of gun and a fellow officer carry a different type," Nardia said. "For instance, if you run out of ammo, you can use the ammo your partner is carrying as long as it is the same type. It could mean the difference in staying alive or becoming a casualty."

Hank Bailey, defensive tactics instructor and deputy for the Navarro County Sheriff's Office, said he wanted to get additional information and training to share with fellow deputies.

"The course has been very helpful. The training and information will be beneficial to our officers," Bailey said.

Kelvin Dews, defensive tactics instructor for the Department of Public Safety Training Academy in Austin, has been a training Sgt. for the past year and has been with DPS for 12 years. He was also attending the class to learn new information and better tactics techniques in order to share with troopers and recruits to improve their training.

"The training and information is even better now because things are constantly changing around us. We are constantly faced with different situations," Dews said. "This week we covered various drills and defensive tactics, learning something new in different phases of training," Dews said.

Nardia said Hanan Yadin, CEO of ISI, coordinates all of the courses and deals with all instructions, and added there are plans to open a training facility in Corsicana.

ISI also offers classes to law enforcement instructors in Suicide Terrorism, Anti-Terrorist First Responder, Bus Intervention, Riot Control and K-9 Training to name a few, and offers civilian courses and seminars as well. ISI has been in existence since 1993.

The three-day seminar was hosted by NCPA providing an in-service class for local law enforcement agencies.

"We are always looking to upgrade and present different classes for law enforcement agencies," Dan Williams, NCPA instructor.

NOTE -- The Israeli CQB Art of Kapap (Any weapon -- one mind) has been written in special ink, called blood. The knowledge came from experience, many times by making tragic mistakes, then studying the results to understand what needs to be done the next time. Unfortunately, Israel is the most experienced nation in the world when it comes to Terror, and that is why it has developed one of the most valued CQB training systems in the world. For more information visit the ISI Web site at www.isiusa.us.