Basic trainees now clean M-16s in new facility
by Miconna Boaldin
37th Training Wing Public Affairs
2/5/2004 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- A recently completed 9,000-square-foot facility here has added a few hours and a new activity to the Air Force basic training program: M-16 cleaning.
The more than 40,000 trainees who attend basic training each year will now use the $365,000 weapons cleaning pavilion to clean their rifles after firing them for small arms qualification.
"The additional training is important for troop safety and security in the field, especially now, as more airmen are tasked with force protection duties and frequent deployments," said Master Sgt. Russell Walker, noncommissioned officer in charge of the combat weapons flight for the 342nd Training Squadron.
While Air Force regulations required students to clean and lubricate their weapons, Air Education and Training Command officials had previously waived the procedure because the Basic Military Training School did not have the facility, instructors or time to fulfill the task, Sergeant Walker said.
He said detailed trainees were cleaning the rifles previously, but they were not getting them as clean as possible because they were cleaning an entire week's worth of rifles in assembly line fashion.
"Cleaning a massive amount of rifles is a tough job," Sergeant Walker said. "We have only been using the new facility for about two weeks but the rifles are 100-percent cleaner than before."
Since the rifles are cleaner, there are fewer malfunctions, firing takes less time and the numbers of qualifications should increase, he said.
"It is a safe bet to say the number of qualifications will rise (because of) the change in circumstances while the trainees are firing weapons," Sergeant Walker said. "They have fewer disruptions and they can stay focused on the job at hand."
The pavilion can hold 220 students and instructors and contains 110 weapons cleaning tables and equipment, Sergeant Walker said. (Courtesy of AETC News Service) |
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