Photo Information

Cpl. Fernado Verdoza, a military police officer with the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Provost Marshal’s Office, fires an M-9 pistol during a practical weapons course aboard MCAS Miramar, Calif., June 18. The training helped keep Marines and police officers current with annual training requirements.

Photo by Cpl. Owen Kimbrel

PMO conducts practical weapons course

20 Jun 2014 | Cpl. Owen Kimbrel Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Marines and police officers with the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Provost Marshal’s Office conducted a practical weapons and a low-light range qualification course aboard MCAS Miramar, Calif., June 18.

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

Approximately 40 Marines and police officers took turns maneuvering through obstacles, firing in different positions at designated targets for speed and accuracy. The trainees had to fire a minimum of 12 bullets on the target in less than three minutes.

“We do this training every quarter,” said Kevin Guffey, an instructor with Homeland Security Solutions, Inc. “It makes them better and more confident in doing their job.”

The Marines and police officers performed the training to stay current on their training requirements and develop fluency with their weapon. If military police find themselves in a situation firing from behind cover and where light is limited, the training is designed to give them an advantage while protecting the air station.

“It helps us be more aware of what we can do as military police,” said Lance Cpl. Jonathan Vargas-Blanco, a military police officer with the Provost Marshal’s Office. “You never know what can happen.”

The exercise, designed to build the confidence of the trainees, assists in developing the highest level of skill and performance.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar