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Tinker range keeps base firing

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  • By Danielle Gregory
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Firearms and firearms training are important parts of the modern military. The Combat Arms unit at Tinker Air Force Base handles the weapons training of all base military personnel including some civilians. Approximately 4,800 personnel were trained on Tinker's range last year, expending over 550,000 rounds of ammunition not including the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, who also train here. 

"On Tinker we train on a 25 meter range with the M-9 handgun, M-4 and M-16A2 rifles and the M-870 shotgun. In addition to rifle and handgun training, Security Forces personnel also train with the M-203 grenade launcher, M-249, M-240 and M-2 machine guns. All heavy weapons are fired on full distance ranges at Camp Gruber Army National Guard in Braggs, Okla., or Ft Sill in Altus" said Mr. Danny Cross, Chief of Combat Arms. 

Combat Arms instruct the rifle and handgun Air Force Qualification Course for recurring training and for all deploying personnel and personnel that will PCS overseas. Security Forces however, fire the Tactical Rifle Course on a cycle allowing them to train twice annually with the M4. 

While certain orders of fire require wearing the gas mask, those training for deployment must also wear their Individual Combat Equipment when firing. This gear includes helmet and the interceptor vest. 

"Classes are all day events for base personnel with Security Forces also training on night fire phases with the M-4" said Mr. Cross. 

Through their training offices members are scheduled based on their upcoming requirements. The base units request training slots for specific weapons through the Security Forces Management Information System program. Combat Arms schedulers assign class dates for the requested slots. The units can then assign names to each class. Class rosters are pulled from SFMIS prior to each class. 

"We take roll call at the beginning of each class and only personnel that are scheduled through SFMIS will attend" said Mr. Cross. 

During classroom instruction students learn weapon and range safety, weapon nomenclature, characteristics, disassembly, reassembly, care and cleaning of the weapon and fundamentals of firing. 

"We normally break for lunch before firing then reassemble in the classroom. Prior to firing, safety and range procedures are covered again and instructors answer any student questions. The rifle live fire usually takes an hour to an hour and a half to complete and 45 minutes to an hour with the handgun depending on the number of shooters on the firing line." said Mr. Cross. 

There is no class minimum however Combat Arms can only train a maximum of 28 students. 

"We have six military members and five civilians on staff. Combat Arms personnel also assist in manning the Security Forces Armory" said Mr. Cross. 

One of the bigger events at Combat Arms is the annual OSI Federal Law Enforcement Pistol Competition which takes place on 8 August.