Heavy weapons training keeps 302nd SFS at the ready

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  "Range is hot!" exclaimed lead combat arms instructor Tech. Sgt. Christopher Shoales, 302nd Security Forces Squadron. And with that, members of the 302nd SFS locked their sights down range and unleashed a volley of deadly rounds, shredding all that was in their path.

Members of the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd SFS spent their February Unit Training Assembly completing their annual heavy weapons qualification training. The two-day M240B and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) course began Saturday with one day of classroom training, where members demonstrated their ability to safely handle the weapons and react to misfires and malfunctions. Additionally, members were trained on the proper care and cleaning of each weapon, ensuring that the weapons will be fully functional for future use. The frigid Sunday morning "range day" took the gunners to the Berkeley Airburst Range in Pueblo County, a full distance range about one hour south of Peterson Air Force Base.

"The 240 and 249 are hot rounds and have the potential to start small fires down range, even though it's cold. We prefer to come out during this time of year, to prevent fires," said Shoales.

Upon arrival the gunners set up fighting positions and received safety briefings along with almost 2,000 rounds each to demonstrate their ability to engage metal silhouettes, simulating enemy combatants and an array of armored vehicles that would typically be found in a hostile environment.

"Each gunner must demonstrate that they are able to operate the weapon in the correct manner and engage the targets effectively," said Senior Airman Matthew Loveall, 302nd SFS, combat arms instructor.

The gunners work as a two-man team. The gunner operates the weapon and the assistant gunner acts as a spotter, directing the rounds on target, ensuring the M240B that is capable of unleashing 950 rounds per minute, has an effective range of 1,980 yards and is well-fed with ammunition.

"Being a full distance range, this is the most realistic training we can get," said Shoales. "We're firing at real targets, not paper targets, giving our guys the training they need down range," he added.

Gunners can find themselves in numerous defensive situations especially during deployments where they may work escorting convoys, clearing a building or standing watch as perimeter defense. Full distance ranges are designed to maintain confidence in the weaponry and in gunners themselves.