169th Security Forces Squadron Heavy Weapons Training

Airmen of the South Carolina Air National Guard, assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, engage in heavy weapons familiarization at Bastogne Range, Fort Jackson, S.C., Oct. 5, 2014. Routine weapons training ensures Airmen of the South Carolina Air National Guard are trained and prepared to perform their mission at home and abroad. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Ashleigh S. Pavelek/Released)

169th Security Forces Squadron Heavy Weapons Training

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., fires the M249 light machine gun in the prone position during heavy weapons training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Oct. 5, 2014. Routine weapons training ensures Airmen of the South Carolina Air National Guard are trained and prepared to perform their mission at home and abroad. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)

169th Security Forces Squadron Heavy Weapons Training

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kenvyn Lewis, combat arms instructor assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., fires a M2 .50-caliber machine gun during heavy weapons training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Oct. 5, 2014. Lewis assists other security forces Airmen with weapons familiarization and supervises in range safety. Routine weapons training ensures Airmen of the South Carolina Air National Guard are trained and prepared to perform their mission at home and abroad. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)

169th Security Forces Squadron Heavy Weapons Training

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Heximer, an operations non-commissioned officer, assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., fires the M249 light machine gun kneeling as Staff Sgt. Ismael Fierro, combat arms instructor, looks on during heavy weapons training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Oct. 5, 2014. Routine weapons training ensures Airmen of the South Carolina Air National Guard are trained and prepared to perform their mission at home and abroad. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)

169th Security Forces Squadron Heavy Weapons Training

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 169th Security Forces Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., conduct heavy weapons training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Oct. 5, 2014. Routine weapons training ensures Airmen of the South Carolina Air National Guard are trained and prepared to perform their mission at home and abroad. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago/Released)

Security Forces heavy weapons training

Published Oct. 24, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago
169th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Air Force Security Forces mission can change day-to-day, from domestic missions to a deployed environment, so Airmen need to train on a variety of weapons to prepare for whatever they are called to do.

Airmen from the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Security Forces Squadron traveled to nearby Fort Jackson's Bastogne range Oct. 5 to train with a variety of heavy weapons. It is an annual requirement for all Air Force Security Forces to keep their proficiency and familiarization with weapons they do not normally use.

According to Staff Sgt. Ken Lewis, a combat arms instructor, his goal is to train how to effectively employ these weapons, properly engage the enemy, maintain, and repair the weapons.

"When they deploy, I do not go with them, so the knowledge that I have, I have to give to them," said Lewis.

During the day-long training, the unit's combat arms instructors, weapons experts, managed four different firing lanes consisting of M203 grenade launcher, M249 light machine gun, M240B machine gun, and the M2 Browning .50 caliber heavy machine gun, giving the Airmen hands-on training.

"This is proficiency training we want to make sure our security forces stay qualified on the weapons," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Bryant, a combat arms supervisor with the 169th Security Forces Squadron. "It is training we get outdoors instead of being inside and doing computer-based training."

Fort Jackson's range allows the Security Forces' teams to train nearby their home unit and offers Airmen a chance to requalify on their weapons. From the newest Airmen, to the most senior sergeant, the annual training is an important part of doing their jobs.

"This is not anything someone can just pick up," said Airman 1st Class Andrew Wilson, security forces fire team member. "We are going to need individuals that are trained, in case we go downrange for combat operations or regular operations if we need it we have to be trained to use it."