Why don't all members of the Air Force have to be fully qualified to be a rifleman in case of hostile events?

The amount of time the AF spends on training their techs to ensure the aircraft don’t fall out of the sky is more valuable than trying to lug a M-4 or M-9 around with you while working on the aircraft. Air Force has a different skill sets than the other branches and ground combat isn’t one of them. That’s why they have their special forces parts to ensure everyone else can do their job. Can’t spend millions on training one to send him off to his death on the front line.

Why don't all members of the Air Force have to be fully qualified to be a rifleman in case of hostile events?
Have you looked at them?

USAF 65-70
USA 71-88

Why don't all members of the Air Force have to be fully qualified to be a rifleman in case of hostile events?

Have you looked at them?
5 years USAF 65-70
18 years USA 71-88

While it makes sense for members of USA, USN, USMC to be well trained to use small arms the USAF is a different sort of service. I served 8 years in the regular Air Force and never touched a weapon after basic training. However, I did spend three years in the nuclear war planning business and two years in the aerial reconnaissance business (actually space based reconnaissance). All of my time was spent on large bases or working out of the Pentagon. I never got farther from home (in CT) than Omaha. Only about one percent of Air Force personnel ever get in the same country with combat. Those people do get additional small arms training but rarely employ small arms since they are protected by Army or Marine personnel. Air crew members all carry small arms but their real experience in combat comes from their use of the much more powerful weapons they fly.

Easy answer: Money. Ammunition costs a lot of money.

I don't know how things are these days and I can't speak for other bases but when I was active (1985-1989), we had to requalify every year with the M-16. Our range wasn't long enough to place the targets 1,000 yards away so, they compensated by having us shoot from 100 yards away at a silhouette that was 1/10th normal size. All hits had to be within the center mass area to qualify for expert. I grew up shooting much larger caliber rifles so, hitting the target with an M-16 was a breeze. Additional training included field stripping, cleaning and reassembly. It may have had something to do with the fact that our base was the 1st SOW. I was in the 834th AGS attached to the 20th SOS. In addition to our M-16 training and qualification, my unit had to go through special training to be able to service and maintain the helicopters while hot (loaded) guns were installed.

Apparently things have changed. I worked in Ammo and carried an M-16 during exercises and certainly during Desert Storm. I’ve been out for 28 years and don’t understand why it changed.

It wouldn't hurt!

I understand what you mean. There have been a number of publications about airbase defense doctrine and ID (Integrated Defense) in particular. The ID concept is a page right out of the Army and Marine Corps playbooks: every Airman is responsible for defending the airbase, not just SF, not the Army, not the Marine Corps, unless of course it’s a joint base (which it likely would be, and in that case Soldiers and Marines are responsible for base defense as well). The Air Force has done a lot of chest beating in recent years about fighting in contested battle space, and basing on hostile turf. Yet, when it comes to actually mentally and physically preparing Airmen to survive and function in a true contested battlefield environment, it doesn’t really pan out. There’s still far too many Airmen who aren’t in fighting shape, and wouldn’t know how to handle a weapon if the S hit the fan. I understand in investing in our Airmen to be the best mechanic, pilot, port dawg, loggie, etc. but I also believe that they need to be given the tools and training to survive in a contested environment long enough to do their primary job. Even just one week of combat training per year (small unit tactics, rifle range, TCCC) would be an improvement, especially in light of this great war that’s supposedly on the horizon. But alas, the Air Force won’t change things until they have to, (i.e. people start getting killed.

I was in the 934th TAC US Air Force we had firearm training & qualified with the M 16 at the firing range shooting in all positions