49 SFS ensures base qualification

  • Published
  • By Senior Aiman Michael Means
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Many individuals find weapons requalification training to be stressful. However, at Holloman, the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors take a relaxed approach in guiding students to become talented marksmen.

The Combat Arms hosts, instructs and provides ground weapons training and inspections for all Holloman personnel, Army personnel, National Guard and Reserve Officer Training Corp Cadets from New Mexico State University.

"We train everyone to maintain and fire their weapons before they deploy and to meet duty requirements," said Master Sgt. Dirk Mitchell, 49th Security Forces Squadron, noncommissioned officer in charge of combat arms.

The 49th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms coordinates an average of 18 classes a month, training more than 1,700 students each year for weapons qualifications training. Students fire an average of 20,000 rounds of ammunition a month to get trained.

Combat Arms instructors train Airmen on over eight different weapons to include pistols, rifles, submachine guns and shotguns.

"The Combat Arms here is very flexible," said Tech. Sgt. Brandon Adkins, 49 SFS. "We are able to use what we have [here] to give everyone the necessary information they need to properly handle their weapons."

The Combat Arms instructors attend a nine-week course at the Security Forces Academy, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas specializing in professional firearms. Combat Arms instructors are certified firearm instructors or sub depot-level gunsmith, who replace weapon parts and make mechanical adjustments.

"The training that we received taught us how to properly disassemble the weapon and troubleshoot any problems we have while shooting on the range," said Airman 1st Class Krista Lawrence, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron. "We learned the fundamentals of firing a weapon."

The training Airmen receive at Holloman ensures everyone is capable and confident with handling their weapon. The class teaches Airmen to know their weapon so that they can react properly in situations downrange.

"Before I went to the class, I was excited about shooting again," said Airman Lawrence. "The instructors taught us proper weapon nomenclature and prepared us to fire out on the range."

"Slap, pull, observe, release, tap and shoot (SPORTS)." These are words every Airman should know and are stressed in every Combart Arts class to help troubleshoot any problem they have on the range.

"Firing really helped us to put together what we learned in class by applying it to the range," said Airman Lawrence. "At the end of the day everything I learned about handling the weapon was beneficial."

The staff of six makes sure everyone who goes through the class knows the weapon they're handling, inside and out, while promoting a relaxed and safe environment.