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Hearing protection, toolkits, forklifts and banding cutters are just some of the tools the 86th Munitions Squadron uses to conduct day-to-day business.
Recently, the 86th MUNS has been busier than normal as they have just shipped dozens of international shipping containers as part of an exercise called Turbo Containerized Ammunition Distribution System, or TURBOCADS 2010.
The shipping of the containers filled with various munitions was part of a worldwide realignment of conventional weapon assets.
Starting in 1994 when the Department of Defense began efforts to develop an overseas commercial containerized ammunition distribution system, TURBOCADS has developed into a movement that involves not only Airmen but also heavy coordination and support from Army and commercial transport carriers.
Although the actual movement was completed in five days, planning for TURBOCADS 2010, which is the first movement of this size in five years, started more than six months ago in November 2009.
In the months leading up to the actual movement of the assets, senior munitions technicians began working with Soldiers from the 21st Theater Support Command to deliver the shipments for transportation onto boats headed for the U.S.
“After nearly 10 years of sitting idle and taking up usable storage space, some munitions, like old bullets, are being moved making room for other, newer assets,” said Senior Master Sgt. Gary Marsh, 86th MUNS materiel flight chief who has 23 years ammo experience.
Other munitions being shipped from Ramstein as part of the realignment of assets in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command will be shipped to various locations thoughout Europe.
“The Global Ammunition Control Point at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, directs the movement of munitions throughout the world based on generated unit requirements,” said Staff Sgt. Elliot West, 86th MUNS munitions accountability assistance non-commissioned officer in charge. “We report through the Combat Ammunition System, and Hill says based on those requirements where asset will go. Sometimes, like TURBOCADS, those requirement generate movements, but this is the largest one during my time here.”
To complete a movement of this size, the effort consisted of 18 munitions storage Airmen, assisted by seven Airmen from the 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron Travel Movement Office.
Two of the 86th LRS Airmen were carpenters who built blocking and bracing for the munitions inside the containers and two were shipping specialist who had direct contact setting up the international shipment.
In addition, there were countless other behind-the-scenes technicians, like AFK or ammunitions accountability technicians helping with things like stockpile
inventories, inspections and munitions control personnel who grant access to each of the storage facilities.
“We are loading ISO containers for international shipment,” said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Clancy, 86th MUNS assistant NCOIC of munitions storage and a 17-year munitions troop. “This is a USAFE command realignment, this has been a large operation for us, but it enables us to clear up some storage space.”
TURBOCAD 2010 is a large enough movement that everyone from the most senior to the youngest Airman in the 86th MUNS plays a role.
Airman 1st Class Daniel Jones, an 86th MUNS ammunition technician, has been in the Air Force since May 2009.
“I have been driving forklifts, banding containers together, I pretty much help with anything my crew chief needs,” said Airman Jones, who helped package cruise missiles. “This is the first time in my ammo career that I have been in a movement of this size.”
Coming in at 3 a.m. and working until 3 p.m. to get the movement preparation, crew briefs, vehicle check outs, gather tools and head out to open the structures may seem like the beginnings of a busy day, but for Airman Jones it is all part of a day’s work.
Sometimes, being a 2W0 in the 86th MUNS encourages them to be real multitaskers supporting exercises, flightline operations and real-world shipping of weapons, but TURBOCADS brings it all into perspective. It is all about learning experiences and making room for new munitions.
“I actually did a tour at 3rd Air Force before this assignment. It was interesting to get the bigger-picture perspective and then return to base level management,” Sergeant Marsh said. “This type of movement is just the thing that enables us to continue to improve our processes here.”
