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Weapons standardizations keep Airmen trained

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Owsianka
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Whether it's loading bullets or bombs on a plane, weapon load crew members are required to continuously train to safely and properly load the munitions onto an aircraft.

The load crew members are required to be recertified by the 51st Maintenance Operation Flight weapons standardization section on the 15 different munitions every 30-days at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

"The inherent danger of working with live munitions is a great risk," said Master Sgt. Matthew Andrews, 51st Maintenance Group weapons standardization superintendent. "Having Airmen proficiently handle munitions is inherent to safety and reliability, which is a priority in our career field."

During the recertification inspection process, the Airmen will have to meet certain criteria in order to pass.

Some of the criteria the Airmen have to complete to pass the inspection are loading the munitions in a certain amount of time, maintain proficiency, ensure they have checked off the required steps and safely complete the job.

"I think that it's very important that each load crew is able to come in every month to stay current on our loading capabilities because that is the main mission when we go down range," said Senior Airman Anthony Cicchino, 51st MOF load crew member. "Being recertified every month helps us continue to be capable and ready to load munitions at a moment's notice. It helps us stay knowledgeable, safe and able to do our job the right way and efficiently."

Going through the monthly recertification process has enabled the Airmen to continuously be qualified to handle the munitions.

"During the last operational readiness exercise we had to load plethora of munitions that we don't see on a typical basis," said Senior Airman Dylan Logsdon, 51st MOF load crew member. "Ensuring that we can successfully load different munitions every 30-days impact the mission immensely because if and when the time comes to fight, we are going to need to know what we are doing."

Constantly training on the different types of munitions help the Airmen prepare for the mission.

"Putting bombs on and bullets in the aircraft is paramount because without those the mission does not get done," Andrews said. "Without those munitions getting on the aircraft, the pilots are not going to fly combat sorties. With munitions on the aircraft, we are able to take the fight to the enemy."