Is spending two weeks in Hawai’i shooting machine guns at a military firing range on anyone’s bucket list? Twenty-eight defenders from the 173rd Security Forces Squadron did just that in early May for their annual training.
Maj. Ryan Fisher, commander of the 173rd SFS, said light and medium machine gun qualification is an annual requirement for security forces defenders.
“The Kingsley range is not rated to support these weapons systems, requiring us to travel to other ranges to meet this requirement,” he said. “Additionally, with upcoming deployments, we needed to train on specific combat-focused topics to ensure our defenders are as prepared as possible.”
The training began with three days of classroom instruction and practical weapons classes while still at Kingsley Field, and then the group flew on a C-130J from the 123rd Airlift Wing to Oahu.
“Based on our experience at other fields and facilities, Hawai’i quickly rose to the top of the list as a viable option for excellent, low-cost training facilities,” Fisher said. The 173rd SFS Combat Weapons Team coordinated directly with Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay and secured a training area exclusively for use with classified “pop-up” targets for weapons systems.
Fisher laughed saying this wasn’t your typical Hawaii Air Force TDY. “Defenders slept in ten-person tents in an Army training area at Schofield Barracks and meals were coordinated through Army and Marine mess halls,” Fisher said. “And the meadows were some of the most picturesque I’ve ever been to.”
One of the biggest benefits of the training was exposure to a joint environment, Fisher said.
“Many of the Security Forces deployments are in a joint service environment with the Army and Marine Corps,” he said. “While we didn’t have any official training with the other services, we stood shoulder to shoulder with them at their bases, DFAC, and had the opportunity to observe live fire from some of the Army’s 105mm howitzers.”
The squadron also took the opportunity to work as a team during this training – living and working closely in a very small space for several days.
“Exposing some of the younger members to different aspects of the military outside of Kingsley Field was huge; For many it was the first time they had flown in a military aircraft,” Fisher said.
The group also completed a hike to the top of Koko Head, 0.8 miles each way, with over 900 feet of elevation gain for a physical challenge. “Koko Head is a physical challenge for everyone! “Climbing such a steep hill is a tangible metaphor that demonstrates the value of doing something challenging to gain a new perspective, like being able to see half the island,” he added.
Fisher says this training event would not have been possible without the assistance and support of several members of the Kingsley Team from Finance, Plans, Logistics, the 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron and everything in between. “Finally, thank you to all the defenders and security forces personnel who spent so many hours planning this exercise,” he added.
Date to be had: | 06.06.2024 |
Publication date: | 06.06.2024 16:17 |
Story ID: | 473282 |
Location: | OAHU, HAWAII, USA |
Web views: | 8 |
Downloads: | 0 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.