Phoenix Raven Program Published July 31, 2018 By SrA. Joseph Dangidang 452 AMW Public Affairs March Air Reserve Base, Calif. -- Phoenix Raven’s program manager, TSgt. Mark Estorga, 452nd Security Forces Squadron, held tryouts earlier this year for candidates interested in becoming the next group of certified Ravens here at March Air Reserve Base, California. The Raven position does not consist of your typical security force job duties. Ravens are specially trained security forces personnel assigned to provide security for Air Mobility Command aircraft in high threat areas; the recruitment for the program is ongoing. The Raven’s mission is to “ensure an acceptable level of close-in security for aircraft transiting airfields where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter local threats.” “I have been the program manager since 2013 and I want to generate interest about the program,” said Estorga. “I want to let everyone know who we are and what we do; hoping to generate interest in potential candidates.” The Phoenix Raven’s apprentice program here are March ARB prescreens qualified candidates for the Raven’s training course. We prepare our candidates with everything they need to study and make them successful mentally and physically, said Estorga. “I set the standards high, because I want the students coming back certified Ravens.” Once candidates pass the initial selection process, they are sent to the 30-day Ravens training course at Fort Dix, New Jersey. “The Raven’s training course is a 30-day program that consist of 14-15 hour days,” said Estorga. “Students will be trained in hand-to-hand combat, krav maga, jiu-jitsu, verbal judo, weapons, U.S. air marshal standards, FAA guidance, embassy security, and EOD familiarization during the course.” Since Estorgas involvement in the apprentice program, there has been a zero percent washout rate for March ARB students. This reflects the success of the apprentice program and the quality candidates that Estorga has selected. Since the inception of the Raven’s program in 1997, there have been 2661 certified Ravens to date (active and retired). If you are interested in the Phoenix Raven’s program, contact TSgt. Estorga at 951-655-2985.