A view through an M68 sight while a student goes through the new qualification course at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 10, 2012. The 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors qualify more than 7,000 students annually and have the highest tempo for qualifications within U.S. Air Forces in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Airmen qualify on the M-4 Carbine using the prone-supported position at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 9, 2012. The 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance has 15 assigned instructors and are responsible for the entire Kaiserslautern Military Community area and eight geographical separated units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Staff Sgt. Jake Torell, 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor, gives advice on shooting fundamentals along with sight corrections to a student at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 9, 2012. The 569th CATM instructors attend a nine-week certification course at the Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, specializing in professional firearms. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
A 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor gives sight corrections to a student at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 9, 2012. The 569th CATM instructors attend a nine-week certification course at the Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, specializing in professional firearms. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Senior Airman Michael Proctor, 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor, gives advice on shooting fundamentals along with sight corrections to a student at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 10, 2012. The 569th CATM instructors attend a nine-week certification course at the Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, specializing in professional firearms. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
A student goes through the new qualification course, containing both basic firing positions and advanced tactical movements at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 10, 2012. The 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance has 15 assigned instructors and are responsible for the entire Kaiserslautern Military Community area and eight geographical separated units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Staff Sgt. Brett Thomason, 1st Combat Communication Squadron, uses the M68 sight while performing gas mask shooting qualification at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 10, 2012. The 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance has 15 assigned instructors and are responsible for the entire Kaiserslautern Military Community area and eight geographical separated units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
A student goes through the new qualification course, which contains both basic firing positions and advanced tactical movements, at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 10, 2012. The 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance has 15 assigned instructors and our responsible for the entire Kaiserslautern Military Community area and eight geographical separated units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
A view of the qualification target at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 10, 2012. The 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors qualify more than 7,000 students annually, and have the highest tempo for qualifications within U.S. Air Forces Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Airman 1st Class Demarc Shorter, a 721st Aerial Port Squadron passenger services specialist, awaits shooting instructions at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 10, 2012. The 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors qualify more than 7,000 students annually, and have the highest tempo for qualifications within U.S. Air Forces Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
A 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor gives advice on shooting fundamentals along with sight corrections to a student at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Aug. 9, 2012. The 569th CATM instructors attend a nine-week certification course at the Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, specializing in professional firearms. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
by Senior Airman Chris Willis
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
8/20/2012 - VOGELWEH MILTARY COMPLEX, Germany -- "I am an Air Force Combat Arms Instructor. My country's strength lies in the men and women I train and their weapons which I maintain." This proud heritage is upheld by the Airmen of U.S. Air Forces Europe 569th Combat Arms Training and Maintenance.
The Kaiserslautern Military Community CATM qualifies more than 7,000 students annually, second to the largest Air Force training facility in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. With 15 assigned instructors, the 569th CATM is responsible for implementing new firing qualifications for the entire KMC area and eight geographical separated units.
"The CATM instructors were all trained and certified on the new course of fire August 2011," said Tech. Sgt. Mernetta McCook, 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron Combat Arms NCOIC. "We also ran a few test classes prior to implementation that involved a few identified battlefield Airman groups."
The new qualification course contains both basic firing positions and advanced tactical movements.
"The new course of fire makes the shooter think on their feet, "said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Schrank, 569th CATM instructor. "The percentage required to pass is higher than the old course, but today's Airmen are adapting and overcoming the differences with flying colors."
With battlefield Airmen standing beside their sister services and doing the exact same mission, the new qualification will help adequately train these Airmen, and build confidence in their ability to handle their weapons in a joint-deployed environment.
"These courses are definitely tougher, it's not your normal walk through, point and shoot," said Airman 1st Class Demarc Shorter, 721st Aerial Port Squadron passenger services specialist. "This training helped me know how I respond with my rifle in a quick-reaction situation."
The 569th CATM provides grounds for all Airmen to show their ability to employ weapons offensively and defensively in garrison and deployed. They are the "make or break" for today's battlefield Airmen.
