Photo Information

Lance Cpl. Aaron Vega, a military police officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, fires the M4 tactical shotgun behind cover while receiving instruction from Kevin Guffey, an instructor with Homeland Security Solutions, Inc., during a practical weapons course aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 21. The training allows military police the opportunity to maintain weapon proficiency in the event of an actual situation.

Photo by Cpl. Owen Kimbrel

PMO conducts practical weapons course

22 Jan 2015 | Cpl. Owen Kimbrel Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Marines and police officers, with the Provost Marshals’ Office, conducted a practical weapons course and aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 21.

The Marines and police officers attended the training to maintain familiarity with their pistols and shotguns and boost awareness during real-life situations.

Approximately 40 Marines and police officers took turns moving from cover to cover firing rounds in various positions at designated targets for time and accuracy. The training had to be completed in a time under three minutes and the trainees had to fire a minimum of 12 rounds on the target.

“I think it great for the officers because it gives you a live scenario as to what potentially can happen,” said Damean Hurt, an instructor with Homeland Security Solutions, Inc. “The training allows officers to put rounds down range after running to achieve an elevated heart rate.”

The training is held to keep the Marines and police officers up-to-date with their training requirements and also develop awareness with their weapon. When military police find themselves in a situation firing from cover and where light in limited the training will give them the advantage in protecting the air station.

“It’s great to be out here because we don’t have a lot of time to run-through our weapons,” said Lance Cpl. Aaron Vega, a military police officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “It’s good practice and I find myself getting better with my sidearm which in turn keeps us sharp.”

The exercise is required to be completed by all military police officers aboard the air station.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar