The protectors: Arming our airmen

Editor's note: This feature is the fourth in a series of 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron highlights at Cannon.

USAF: Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Miller, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron armory NCOIC, is issued a weapon from Senior Airman David Kinjorski-Garcia, 27 SOSFS, from the armory Aug. 24 at Cannon Air Force Base. The armory provides storage to unaccompanied airmen living in Cannon's dormitories and all military housing residents.

It's a safe house; an armed fortress that charges few with maintaining weaponry not just for members of the 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, but all agencies and personnel securing arms at Cannon Air Force Base.

"Our primary focus is supporting our flight members," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Miller, 27 SOSFS armory NCOIC. "We provide our personnel with the arms and equipment they need in their line of duty."

The base armory isn't strictly used by security forces members; the facility also provides storage to unaccompanied airmen living in Cannon's dormitories and all military housing residents.

"Airmen living within the dorms must have weapons they own checked into the armory for safekeeping," said Miller. "Those that live in base or government owned housing are free to keep their weapons in their possession, but still must register those items with us in the armory. We have commanders sign off on forms and add their registered items into a database for record-keeping."

The armory is a safe and secure location to have weapons stored on base. All items turned over to security forces are carefully inspected and annotated to ensure items turned over to the armory will be returned in optimum condition.

Members within the armory maintain 24/7 manning to help facilitate all non-standard hour mission requirements.

"Safety is paramount when working with any kind of firearm," Miller added. "We always pay close attention to detail when handling weapons in the armory to prevent any kind of accidental misfires."