LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Staff Sgt. Corey Freundner, 47th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of Nov. 26, 2018, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The “XLer” award is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
Freundner helped spearhead Laughlin’s recent junior deployment, which consisted of 59-man hours amongst three displays at the event. The event helped more than 100 children not only learn more about the base and its Airmen, but also to enjoy a day of fun.
“I was in charge of setting up the gymnasium for the firing line, grenade pit, and the obstacle course with 10 volunteers from security forces,” he said. “It was great to let the kids know what we do on a daily basis.”
He also helped coordinate heavy weapons training with the help of the 47th Medical Group Airmen. According to Freundner, it was the first time in eight years the range was able to facilitate specialized training.
“In order to operate an armored range, we needed two technical sergeants and a medic to work the firing line,” he said. “We had to coordinate with the [47 MDG] to find somebody qualified in Combat Life Saver training to be with us in case something happened.”
Freundner coordinated with 10 law enforcement departments and reworked the base’s unified facilities criteria documents for the range. The goal of his work is to prepare for a long-term vision for the base’s range.
“We’re in the process of coordinating with those agencies for their requirements, while finding our requirements, so we can meet in the middle and find a new way to a new range that works for everyone,” he said.
Building on his toolkit in the Security Forces career field, Freundner completed the Range Safety Officer course at Camp Bullis, Texas, along with two hours of scheduled training.
Freundner, a member of the cadre that runs Laughlin’s combat arms range, recognizes earning an award like the ‘XLer’ is rarely earned alone.
“I want to thank my team and my supervision for pushing me further to do more stuff, get me out of my comfort zone, and for getting me out there," he said.
For his work with the junior deployment event, conducting the base’s first heavy weapons training in eight years, setting up the range for future expansion, and for growing his knowledge on operating a firing range, Freudner has earned this week’s “XLer.”