Combat arms keeps Airmen on target

Published Sept. 3, 2009
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- When pops and pings echo through the base on an early weekday morning, it's easy to guess the origins. But, the 72nd Security Force's Combat Arms unit personnel say they do more than fire weapons.

Working hand-in-hand with the 72nd SFS Armory, Combat Arms' personnel ensure Airmen, Sailors and civilians who deploy, are trained to fire pistols, rifles, grenade launchers and machine guns. They also make certain weapons are in good working order and are properly stored.

"We're a busy unit and just because gunfire isn't going on, it doesn't mean combat arms is not working," said Danny Cross, 72nd SFS Combat Arms chief. "We're working with a steady increase in workload."

Combat Arms' is made up of five civilians and four military members. In 2008, combat arms personnel trained approximately 4,200 military members and civilians. As of August, the unit has trained 2,800 base personnel.

Traditionally, 28 Tinker personnel are trained at a time, but depending on demands, the numbers may vary.

Before students ever reach Bldg. 1024's firing range on Reserve Road, they attend classroom instruction. There, they are taught weapon and range safety, about the weapon -- characteristics, disassembly and reassembly, and cleaning -- and how to use the gun.

Following classroom instruction, trainees are brought to Bldg. 1024's firing range on Reserve Road. If personnel will soon deploy, they are trained in their mobility equipment -- helmet, web gear and gas mask.

"Marksmanship is an art form," said Staff Sgt. Kristopher Parker, 72nd SFS Combat Arms instructor. "You have to slow down and concentrate. There are so many things that go into good marksmanship as far as hitting your target accurately every single time."

Recently, Combat Arms' personnel trained military members leaving for deployment, the new Department of Defense's civilian security force, and base augmentee participants. The base augmentee program allows 72nd SFS personnel to train Airmen from other organizations. Additionally, Combat Arms' personnel oversee a Hazardous Material program and are performing pre-embarkation and post-deployment inspections. Combat Arms' inspects approximately 5,000 weapons on a semi-annual or annual basis.

"We have to track every single little round that we fire," Sergeant Parker said.

Nearly 1,200 of the 5,000 weapons are housed at the armory in Bldg. 1036. Weapons stored at the armory include daily-issue guns and heavy weapons for deployment. The armory also offers courtesy storage for the Navy community and Airmen who aren't able to return their weapons to the base vault before it closes. Gear such as night vision equipment, ammunition, pepper spray are also stored at the armory.

Like Combat Arms, armory personnel also conduct semi-annual and annual inspections.

"We are a 24-hour operation," said Staff Sgt. Michael Henderson, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the 72nd SFS Armory.

And, it's a trusted and respected unit.

"The armory provides secure storage and when I don't have possession of my weapon, I rely on the armory to keep it safe," said Master Sgt. John Alden, NCOIC of the 72nd SFS's Pass and Id unit.