OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Day or night, during Beverly Midnight 16-01 here munitions Airmen have to be ready to supply fighter aircraft for sorties March 7-11.
The mission of the 51st Munitions Squadron is to provide superior armament systems and quality munitions wherever and whenever needed.
Once an exercise begins the munitions storage Airmen go into 24-hour operations and man five crews to make sure bombs are ready to be delivered to armament Airmen. Once armament Airmen receive all of the components, they put the bombs together and load them on aircraft. Both the 25th and 36th fighter squadrons rely on the munitions Airmen to deliver quality bombs at a moment’s notice.
“We’re like worker ants,” said Senior Airman Anthony McGee, 51st MUNS storage crew chief. “We pick up munitions and get them delivered.
“I feel like doing exercises help push Airmen to their limit. They help you progress better in your normal job,” he added. “Doing these exercises quarterly makes going back to my normal shift easier.”
The 51st MUNS is comprised of 85 different facilities that house multiple sections such as pre-load, control, storage and precision guided munitions.
While they may be safely tucked away from everyday traffic, they play a vital role in the 51st Fighter Wing’s mission.
“We feed the machine,” said Tech. Sgt. Charles Jones, 51st MUNS storage assistant shop chief. “If we can’t supply munitions to the aircraft, we can’t defend the base.”
Working with a high level of attention to detail and extreme care, the Airmen expertly handle, store, and transport weapons systems to ensure the safety of Team Osan and the success of the mission.