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Weapons training in the battlefield

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kevin G. Tuttle
  • Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team
QALAT, Afghanistan --  For some airmen at the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team, training in a hostile environment is crucial to successfully conduct operations. 

Training for deployment for these airmen was mandatory, but continuing to sharpen their skills in country is an even greater task considering that they must be ready to react when and if they come in contact with the enemy. 

The Air Force provides specific training to all of its airmen for deployments, but learning the intricacies of working at a PRT can only be mastered with continues practice. 

Army Sgt. 1st Class James Sypher, an infantryman with the 102nd Infantry Regiment, out of Bristol, Conn., coordinated the training for these airmen. 

"It's imperative that all Soldiers and airmen, regardless of branch or background, have these skills, gain a proficiency at them to go out in the field, survive and defeat the enemy," said Sergeanr Sypher, a resident of Chester, Conn. 

The purpose of the training was to familiarize the team with the various weapons available while in theater of operations. Main subjects covered included marksmanship, individual weapons, crew-served weapons pyrotechnics and vehicle operations. 

"The airmen did an outstanding job. They were eager to get out there and do some of these infantry tasks that they've had little exposure to in their careers," he said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard McCord, communications specialist, with the Qalat PRT, participated during the exercise and expressed how beneficial the training was to him. 

"It's a lot more focused on stuff you actually need," said  Sergeant McCord, a Dallas, Texas native. "We're putting a lot more rounds downrange than we do for normal Air Force training. When you're out on missions you never know if the gunner is going to go down and you have to be ready to take his place." 

To Sergeant McCord, training here is different because there is no time to waste on unnecessary protocol, but rather everything taught has the potential to come into play on the next mission. 

Senior Airman Amy Naglack, a ground radio maintenance technician, said that to her the training was beneficial and fun because she got to experience utilizing various weapons and use different tactical infantry procedures. 

"Now you know what to do in case you have to go outside the wire. It makes me a lot more comfortable going out on a mission because I know what's going on," said Airman Naglack, whose home station is Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. "Not only was the training beneficial, but it was fun to learn how to use different weapons and perform various procedures." 

Army and Air Force weapons training may be different in many levels but infantry tactical skills is something that all service members should learn at one point in their career and what a better chance than during deployment and in the battle field. 

"It's difficult because they're going from level one basic training to advanced training in the course of a day, but it's necessary," said Sergeant Sypher after completing the training. 

"Sustenance training is critical to our proficiency and we need to maintain those skills because we're the ones going out there every day," Sergeant Sypher said.