Armed to the teeth: Deployed munitions Airmen set forces up for success

Photo By 1st Lt. Marjorie Schurr | Airmen 1st Class Caleb, munitions technician with the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, finishes preparing small diameter munitions at an undisclosed location in southwest Asia, May 26, 2017. Munitions Airmen recently helped to set a record of SDMs dropped by an F-22 Raptor squadron in a single month, letting loose 84 of them in support of the fight against the Islamic State group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marjorie A. Bowlden)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.26.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Marjorie Schurr 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

One of the Air Force core values reads, “Excellence in all we do.” Airmen deployed with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location in southwest Asia apply this core value in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

That hard work recently led the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to set a new record for the most small diameter munitions dropped by an F-22 Raptor squadron in a single month, letting loose 84 of them in support of the fight against the Islamic State group.

But before the munitions can hit their targets, they have to be prepared- which is where the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions flight comes in.

“The record wouldn't be possible without AMMO [munitions flight],” said 1st Lt. Kory, 380 EMXS munitions flight commander. “We are directly responsible for delivering functional munitions to the flight line in order to equip the F-22. Once the assets leave the bomb dump they are ready to be dropped and the pilots have to trust that we did our job and the munitions will function as designed.”

Airmen with the AMMO flight are passionate about their jobs, which translates into decisive action, said Kory. They will eagerly explain to visitors the importance of their work to the overall mission and even demonstrate how they prepare with a bomb build.

The main motivation for many of the AMMO Airmen, including munitions systems guardians Staff Sgt. Greg and Senior Airman Robert, is to see the aircraft leave with a full load and come back without any unspent munitions.

However, the main key to their success is their bond with one another.

“It’s not about the individual out here; it really is a team effort out here,” said Robert. “Without having that trust in everyone in the shop and knowing you can depend on them, you won’t get very far.”

Even with the significant milestone they helped to reach, the Airmen of the AMMO flight remain humble and keep their eyes focused on the task ahead

“The more munitions we drop, the more destruction we’re causing to ISIS,” said Greg. “If we beat the record again, cool, but it’s just an added bonus. All we care about is doing what the mission calls for.”

[Names have been removed for security purposes.]

• Date Taken: 05.26.2017
• Date Posted: 06.02.2017 02:37
• Story ID: 236101
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)