Villani-Martinez fire M249

Tech. Sgt. Steven Howell, 302nd Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, keeps a close eye on fire team member Senior Airman Nicolina Villani-Martinez, 302nd SFS, ensuring she follows proper safety procedures while firing the M249 machine gun. The 302nd SFS spent the February Unit Training Assembly completing their annual training on heavy arms Feb. 10 at Airburst Range, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Federico)

Heavy arms training keeps Security Forces reservists ready

Published March 22, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Nathan Federico
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Security Forces Squadron took to the field at Airburst Range here for hands-on heavy arms training Feb. 10, 2013. Heavy arms training is an annual requirement that keeps the Airmen of the 302nd SFS mission ready and deployable.

The purpose of the training is to simulate how to engage troop movements on the ground or in vehicles, or stopping a convoy from moving forward.

"The different types of [arms] fire is a big part of what they're doing -whether it's coming onto an individual target or a mass target and engaging it in the correct manner," said Tech. Sgt. Chris Shoales the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 302nd SFS combat arms.

The targets consist of metal barrels, old trucks and buses, as well as stacked up truck containers to simulate buildings.

The Airmen fire two types of machine guns during training. The M249 is a one-person weapon that each Airman fires 550 rounds from to be qualified. The M240B takes a two-person team to operate, a primary gunner who fires at the target, and an assistant gunner in charge of loading the weapon with 100 round assault packs. The 240 is used from the prone position with each Airman firing 1,300 rounds to qualify. The barrel of the gun constantly heats up from the rapid fire leaving a pile of shells and a cloud of smoke every 100 rounds. To keep the process running smoothly and safely, the barrel gets swapped out every 200 rounds during training, eliminating the possibility of a round going off inside the chamber from the heat.

"It is critical that these defenders get experience firing large amounts of rounds down range to refine their gross motor skills. There is great value in the repetition of loading belt ammo, clearing jams, barrel change out and engaging targets at various ranges," said Capt. Brian Young, 302nd SFS commander.

Heavy arms training lasts two days. The first day is spent in the classroom educating the Airmen on proper handling and safety procedures on the 240 and 249 machine guns. "We always emphasize safety in the classroom portion of the course," said Shoales.

The safety procedures emphasized during classroom instruction are carried over to the field on the second day of training, with each combat arms instructor paired up with a weapon and trainee. The instructors ensure proper technique and sequence is applied.

"Safety is always first no matter what you're doing, but especially when you're down range," said Senior Airman Ruby Herrera, a fire team member with the 302nd SFS.

The combat arms instructors see the value of putting the Airmen in situations similar to what they might see in a deployed location. According to their commander, they were up to the challenge.

"I'm proud to be working with these skilled professionals. I've witnessed their abilities to select and quickly engage targets with precision, that builds my confidence in our lethal capabilities to support the mission," said Young.