127th Wing Airmen Gain Weapons Training

Published March 11, 2013
By SSgt. Samara Taylor
127th Wing Public Affairs

SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- A number of Selfridge Airmen received M-4 weapons qualification training during the March Unit Training Assembly. The marksmanship training certifies an individual's ability to properly employ a firearm.

Weapon training is required for all Air Force personnel within 120 days of deployment. Airmen in certain career fields, such as Civil Engineering, are required to update their training annually.

Some of the sound fundamentals in firing the weapons include following through on trigger control, site picture, site alignment, obtaining a stable firing platform and breathing control, said Staff Sgt. Michael McGrail, a Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) instructor with the 127th Security Forces Squadron.

The most challenging aspect of the training for many Airmen is becoming familiar with the weapons and firing their weapon in a challenging environment, such as while wearing protective equipment, including a gas mask, said Staff Sgt. Bradley Vermeesch, a CATM instructor with the 127th SFS.

A relative newcomer to handling the M-4 weapons, Senior Airman David Mansfield, a Repair and Reclamation specialist with the 191st Maintenance Squadron, said, "The training helped prepared me to be mission ready, and was enjoyable."

Security Forces Combat Arms personnel are charged with providing the Air Force with trained personnel who are confident and capable of effectively employing Air Force weapons.