Qualification course sharpens security forces skills

Published May 7, 2023
By Airman William Finn V
355th Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) --

Airmen with the 355th Security Forces Squadron may be called upon to respond to a variety of threats at a moment's notice. They must possess a level of firearm proficiency that keeps them fit to fight at any time or place.

The Security Forces Qualification Course is a standardized firearms training event developed and tested over the course of a full year at 15 different bases, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

A photo of Airmen training firearms proficiency — Tech. Sgt. George Henry, 355th Security Forces Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of combat arms, instructs a 355th SFS defender during the Security Forces Qualification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., April 19, 2023. Henry spent time in the classroom demonstrating proper sight picture techniques to the Airmen before they went to the range to do the shooting portions of the SFQC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman William Finn)

This year-long training event sharpens a variety of technical skills and consists of four training phases and two additional blocks for extra training. Prior to the SFQC, training was limited to a one-day event, which made it difficult to retain firearm proficiency.

“With defenders firing every quarter, they are going to get more trigger time and are actually able to implement the techniques they learn in the classroom and on the range,” said Tech. Sgt. George Henry, 355th SFS noncommissioned officer in charge of combat arms. “Coming in once a quarter, they are learning how to engage targets close up, in night-fire and then actually doing their qualification.”

The four phases of the SFQC include: Carbine Marksmanship Fundamentals Training, Carbine Short Range Combat Training, Carbine Limited Visibility Training, and Carbine Marksmanship Qualification.

Carbine Marksmanship Fundamentals focuses on proper marksmanship fundamentals to include breath control, trigger squeeze, sight picture, sight alignment and follow-through.

“The SFQC helps me be a lot more confident firing weapons with both my dominant and non-dominant hand,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Cotugno, 355th SFS security forces Airman. “The course is a lot more in-depth in terms of developing fundamental mechanics.”

Carbine Short Range Training includes engaging single and multiple targets while assessing threat determination in the line of fire.

Carbine Limited Visibility Training is centered around engaging targets in environments where visibility is low due to darkness, smoke, dust, or other conditions.

The Carbine Marksman Qualification event culminates the year of training in a final test, consisting of a timed 100-round course engaging targets at distances varying from 25 meters to 300 meters.

The two additional blocks of training are; Air Force Force Generation reset and the Security Forces Basic Qualification Course.

AFFORGEN reset is a course held for security forces Airmen that return from deployment to refresh their training requirements they missed while serving on their deployment.

SFBQC is designed to reintegrate old and new Airmen into the Security Forces Qualification Course. Security forces Airmen now complete SFBQC during their tech school. Airmen who have been away from the career field or have been unable to fire for 12 months are also required to complete SFBQC to refresh their skill sets.

The SFQC is now being implemented throughout the Air Force after test bases demonstrated great improvements in Airmen qualification rates and shot groupings, all with minimal to no instructor assistance.

With more advanced weapons training, security forces will be better equipped to protect the Airmen and assets that are vital to the Air Force’s mission.