Armed and Ready

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - Senior Airman Michael Vue, 49th Security Forces Squadron armorer, scans a weapon into the I-Track system April 27th. The I-Track system stores all pertinent data, such as the names of personnel and the serial numbers for any equipment issued, to ensure accountability. The Holloman armory maintains more than $2 million in equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Shoemaker/Released)

Armed and Ready

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - Senior Airman Joaquin Wooten, SrA Michael Vue, and Airman 1st Class Robert Ramirez, 49th Security Forces Squadron armorers, pose for a photo April 30th. These Airmen are part of a small group of security forces personnel who are trained to guard the base's supply of official and personally-owned weapons. More than $2 million worth of equipment is housed within the armory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Shoemaker/Released)

Armed and Ready

Armed and ready

Published June 4, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Michael A. Shoemaker
49th Wing Public Affairs

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M -- Airmen from the 49th Security Forces Squadron armory define the ideas and characteristics behind the Air Force's Core Values, with integrity, excellence, and service as their daily goals.

A lot of trust is poured into them. Many of their comrades put their lives into their hands every day. This is especially true on night shifts.

With this kind of work, the Air Force understands that integrity is one of the most important values that an Airman can have. The leadership, as well as the Airmen who are issued weapons, have to entrust their very lives to the armory staff.

"I have all the trust in the world in them, because even to be back there they have to shine among our leadership. I trust them with, if I had to, with my life," said Airman 1st Class Brett Huff, a 49th SFS patrolman.

These Airmen lay down their lives and give everything they have every day they come to work. Whether it's the 12-hour shifts or being called in on real-world emergencies, they give it all to prevent the ultimate cost.

"We have to put everything into our job. One mistake can cost a life," said Airman 1st Class Davon Irvin, a 49th SFS armory specialist.

When called to be ready at a moment's notice, they provide an invaluable service that's not taken lightly, but they do it willingly.

"It's just your job. Boom! When something happens you just do it ... When game is on you gotta be real. It's no joke," said Senior Airman Michael Vue, a 49th SFS armory specialist.

The Airmen at the Armory guard, inspect, issue and retrieve more than $2 million worth of equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On top of that, they also have to watch over any inmates who are bound to the facility.

Made up of Airmen who are required to be the very definition of our core values, the 49th SFS armory works to hold up the Air Force's reputation of integrity first, excellence in all we do, and service before self.