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AMMO ensures pilots are armed to fight

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Emerson Nuñez
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Assisting in the Air Force's ability to fly, fight, and win and Osan's dedication to be ready to fight tonight, the aircraft munitions maintenance organization is an essential part of the mission here. The Airmen are responsible for munitions breakdown, production and delivery skills in support of air combat operations.

"Without munitions, the jets assigned to our base would be very uneconomical one and two seat airliners," said Staff Sgt. Cameron Beal, flight line maintenance crewmember.

AMMO provides lethal combat support through quality munitions, as well as provide training munitions for pilots to use on their day-to-day flying missions. They are also responsible for maintaining Osan's munitions stockpile.

"The day-to-day mission here in preload is rarely dull," Beal said. "Being flexible is definitely a must for all personnel assigned."

The munitions squadron is divided into four flights: systems, armament, materiel, and production. In a 12-hour period, more than 100 munitions products can be created. During Operational Readiness Exercises Beverly Midnight 13-01 and Beverly Bulldog 13-02, 2,198 bombs were made.

Pre-loaders are responsible for building bombs for the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II. They also process and maintain 30-millimeter rounds for the A-10.

"Our mission is very important," said Airman 1st Class Bradley Meier, Munitions Squadron flight line maintenance crewmember. "Without us providing these assets, pilots wouldn't have anything to practice with."