Shaw Security Forces Airmen impact with tact
Posted 8/28/2013 Updated 8/28/2013
by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/28/2013 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Approximately 30 Airmen from the 20th Security Forces Squadron participated in mandatory shoot, move and communicate training here, Aug. 21.

All 20th SFS members are required to successfully complete this particular training in order to move on to the next phase of training.

Shoot, move and communicate training is a requirement where all 20th SFS members must complete and maintain qualification for on the M4 carbine and M9 pistol. The training is held every six months for all members to be proficient at applying the necessary skills: shoot, move and communicate.

"The main purpose of the training exercise is to work together as teams to communicate and move as a single unit while maintaining weapon discipline to ensure team and bystander safety," explained Staff Sgt. Chandler Hildebrandt, 20th SFS unit trainer.

"If an Airman fails to complete the training performance objectives, they will be required to complete remedial training and meet necessary objectives," he continued.

All members were issued an M9 pistol and M4 carbine (the primary weapons used for deployments), simulation rounds with color projectiles, weapons conversion kits, and proper personal protection equipment.

To shoot the simulation rounds from their duty weapons, 20th SFS members used the weapon conversion kits that could be taken in and out with ease and ensured no live ammunition could be fired. The rounds had colored projectiles that simulated real rounds.

The exercise began with individuals moving up to a target, while controlling their weapon's fire. Once everyone fired, they all looked at their results and were given advice and ways to make corrections, if needed, by a training instructor. Next, members worked in fire teams of two and then four individuals to practice taking cover behind barriers of different sizes while covering one another.

"This training is very important," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Littleton, 20th SFS flight sergeant. "This is not like a video game! When SFS troops are downrange and if the worse should happen, this training helps them to buckle down and remember their fundamentals of firing."

"An incident can happen at any moment; if we have the most realistic and continuous training possible we'll all be ready for that moment to happen and know how to handle it," said Senior Airman Jimmie Moles, 20th SFS base defense operations controller. "This prepares us on how to control our weapons and transitioning from pistol to rifle and communicating with our fire teams."

The 20th SFS Airmen stay sharp on their shoot, move and communicate skills to ensure the safety of their wingman not only deployed but home front as well.

Photo caption: U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mike Garza, 20th Security Forces installation entry controller, moves toward a given target practicing the 'move' portion of the shoot, move and communicate exercise at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Aug. 21, 2013. Every six months, 20th SFS Airmen are required to complete M4 carbine sufficiency training while learning to work as a team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

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