News>Lock and load: 332nd ESFS armory prepares defenders for fight
Photos
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tech. Sgt. Steven Young, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron flight chief, briefs Airmen during guard mount Feb. 23, 2012 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. During guard mount, security forces members receive important information, inspect their equipment and draw weapons. Young is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is a native of Dallas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost/Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Senior Airman Anna Moore, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron armorer, hands Airman 1st Class Timothy Ervin, 332nd ESFS member, an M-9 pistol prior to his shift Feb. 23, 2012 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. In addition to pistols, the armory also houses such weapons as rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers. Moore is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and is a native of Overland Park, Kan. Ervin is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost/Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Senior Airman Gregory Manora, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, clears a machine gun Feb. 23, 2012 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The armory is open 24/7 so security forces members can pick up and turn in weapons, radios, ammunition and other equipment when needed. Manora is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and is a native of Washington D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost/Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Senior Airman Gregory Manora, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, issues a weapon to a security forces member Feb. 23, 2012 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The armory supports more than 100 security forces members on a daily basis. Manora is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and is a native of Washington D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost/Released)
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Larry Sparks, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, removes magazines from a rack in the base armory Feb. 24, 2012 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The armory holds accountability of all items issued to security forces members. Sparks is deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and is a native of Terre Haute, Ind. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost/Released).
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Jordan Barnett, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron member, places an M-4 rifle and an M-9 pistol into a weapons rack at the base armory Feb. 24, 2012 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The armory maintains more than 400 weapons ranging from pistols to grenade launchers. Barnett is deployed from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, and is a native of Abilene, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost/Released)
by Senior Airman Melanie Holochwost
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
2/24/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is responsible for defending the base and its assets. In order to do this, they need the proper equipment from the base armory.
The base armory ensures each defender has a radio, weapons and plenty of ammunition, said Staff Sgt. Larry Sparks, 332nd ESFS combat arms instructor, who is deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
"Every day, more than 100 defenders begin their day at the base armory," Sparks said. "After the entire shift is armed and ready, the flight chief forms them up for a briefing during guard mount. After their shift, each member returns to the armory to turn in their equipment."
In total, 24 security forces personnel are in charge of maintaining more than 400 weapons here, Sparks said.
"We have full-time combat arms instructors and trained flight armorers who help arm the entire squadron every day," he said. "Someone is always here just in case something happens and we need to arm."
And, if something were to happen, security forces members are prepared for it, said Staff Sgt. Todd Waite, 332nd ESFS combat arms instructor.
"We have a plethora of weapons to use if needed," he said. "In addition to M-9 pistols and M-4 rifles, we have automatic rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers."
The 24/7 operation requires strict attention to detail for accountability purposes, Waite said.
"We really need to be on our game when it comes to issuing and turning in equipment," he said. "Miss one thing and that could be thousands of dollars of equipment missing."
The base armory plays an important role in the security forces mission. Without them, defenders wouldn't have the equipment they need to do their jobs.
