MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Every year, approximately 170 security forces Airmen attend the M4 and M9 Air Force Qualification Course led by Moody’s Combat Arms Training and Maintenance.
The course sharpens their weapon systems skills and ensures optimal knowledge and performance of the firearms they carry daily.
“It is very important to make [defenders] more familiar with both weapon systems,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Jones, 23d Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of combat arms. “It is important to know the ins and outs of [the weapon system], how it works [and] how to determine if something is broken. [The course] gives [defenders] a better understanding of how the weapons operate.”
Combat arms instructors provide classroom lessons and hands-on training to refresh Airmen’s knowledge of the M4 carbine and M9 pistol.
“We teach them how to clear the weapons out, break the weapons down [and] inspect them to make sure the weapons are working properly prior to going to the firing line,” Jones said.
Not only does the class provide weapon safety and handling training, but it allows its participants to partake in a live-fire course.
“The firing portion is my favorite part about the course because you get to do the hands-on [tasks] and practice the fundamentals you were taught in the class,” said Staff Sgt. Kaitlin Curtis, 23d SFS investigator.
This course helps prevent defenders from having weapon-related accidents while carrying loaded firearms.
“It’s good for us to know and attend the course to be proficient with weapons just in case we ever have to use them,” Curtis said. “I think, especially as a cop, it’s important to attend [this course] because you never know when you might need to use your firearm.”