CATM introduces short range combat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  To better prepare Holloman Airmen to handle issued weapons during a deployment, the 49th Security Forces Squadron's Combat Arms Training and Maintenance section has implemented enhancements to the CATM training regimen.

The new course incorporates close range combat, which consists of shooting targets from seven, 15 and 25 meters, and also includes firing in burst.

"The old course was based on stationary shooting at stationary targets from a distance," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Todd Waite, 49th SFS CATM instructor. "In addition to the old style of shooting, which is basic weapon marksmanship, we do short-range combat style, which is shooting at targets with a combination of multiple target drills, target discrimination and burst fire."

The new course has extended training time on the shooting range, which has immensely benefited Holloman Airmen, Waite said.

"The old course squeezed so much training in such little time that Airmen didn't have enough time to grasp the entire concept of handling the weapon," he said. "That is the significance of this training. We are producing a better shooter and we are sending Airmen down range with better qualifications and more familiarization with their weapons."

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan Likout, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician and CATM student, agreed the extra training will benefit him and others that go through the new course before deployment.

"The extra training was good and I also like the movement that was added to the shooting because that's most likely the kind of shooting we would do," he said. "What I liked most about the training is it gives everyone the opportunity to shoot burst because a lot of people don't get to experience that. That's good for everyone to know. Especially if they are going to be handling the weapon, they should know the full capabilities of the weapon."

The classroom instruction portion of the course has also been extended.

"In the old course, the classroom instruction was very limited and there was a limited amount of time we could spend there," Waite said. "Now we have more time to go over all of the fundamentals of using the rifle."

One CATM student, who took both the previous and current versions of the CATM course at Holloman, shared her thoughts about both courses.

"I took the previous course within the past year and this new course is a lot more detailed and a lot more hands-on," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jennifer Wampler, 49th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron first sergeant. "I feel more comfortable with the tactical capabilities of the weapon than with the previous course. I've seen a lot of crazy stuff during my previous deployments, and I think it really teaches you a sense of security and safety, which is of upmost importance."

The future goal of the improved CATM course is to continue to improve Team Holloman's deploying members' weapon readiness, Waite said.

"This course is ever-evolving based on feedback from down range, so we can expand the program as needed," he said. "These changes will improve Airmen readiness by improving their marksmanship skills and weapon handling skills. They'll be better shooters and be safer with the weapon when they are handling it down range."

To see a complete CATM photo slideshow, click here.