Gas Masks and Guns: LRS teaches handling with care Published Feb. 24, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Sean Campbell 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron can be seen across Fairchild conducting many different tasks. One unique service LRS provides the base is a gas mask and weapons cleaning class. When deployed, a gas mask or weapon could be the difference between life and death. Beyond having those items is knowing how to use them, said Staff Sgt. Sean Wilson, 92nd LRS, logistics journeyman. "Many Airmen don't know about gas masks and weapons," said Wilson. "It's a shame because when you are deployed you have to know how to take them apart and clean them in order to be effective down range." The class starts by familiarizing students with the M50 gas mask. Airmen break down masks and perform function checks, ensuring the equipment is operational. "This class benefits the base by helping to keep personnel mission and deployment ready, if the last time someone handled a mask or weapon was at basic (training) they might not know what to do," said Wilson. Instructors also teach how to clear the M4 carbine or M9 pistol. They go over safety information, and after, show how to disassemble, clean and reassemble the weapon. "The course is informative and very helpful," said Airman 1st Class Michael Tostado, 92nd LRS, firetruck maintenance apprentice. "We learn how to clean weapons efficiently and put them back together. It's going to prove to be something that will be very helpful when we go on deployment, because weapons do get dirty." Participants range from enlisted Airmen all the way to commanders. "I've seen Airmen who haven't used a gas mask in a very long time, or maybe they never have, become frustrated because they don't know how to break it down or do function checks," said Wilson. "After they take this class, they'll be able to do it on the spot." For more information on classes and scheduling, call LRS.