Features

Ramstein receives largest munitions shipment in over 20 years

Story & photos by Staff Sgt. Devin Nothstine
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
March 5, 2020
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matt Amato, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions stockpile management technician, operates a forklift while moving crates of munitions into a storage facility at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 6. Approximately 200 containers have been downloaded and stored in the MUNS area to further strengthen the firepower that can be delivered to the three combatant commands in the area of operation.

The 86th Munitions Squadron received the largest shipment of intermodal or more commonly known as ISO containers Feb. 6-12.

Airmen downloaded and stored more than 200 containers in the 86th MUNS area to further strengthen and generate rapid outflow of munitions to support three combatant commands.

The 86th MUNS Airmen are charged with packaging these components which enable the ability to generate and quickly ship packages throughout Europe and Africa.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Autumn Gregory, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions stockpile management technician, poses for a photo in front of a stockpile of munitions at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 6. The 86th Munitions Squadron received more than 200 crates of various munitions and inert components to be distributed to combatant commands in the region.

“We will ship the components out and [Airmen in the] area of responsibility will build them up,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Fish, 86th MUNS systems flight chief.

Once a munitions request comes to Ramstein, the 86th MUNS will ensure the MUNS Airmen on the receiving end get all the tail kits and components necessary to fulfill their unit task codes, Fish added.

With such a large shipment of munitions, the Airmen worked around the clock to verify, download and store dozens of containers over the course of a week. The unit divided into crews and worked multiple shifts in order to keep up with the increased pace of inbound components being delivered.

“One crew received the delivery while another crew downloaded the ISOs,” Fish said. “The third crew unloaded the ISOs and placed the components in the storage buildings and the last crew picked up the empty containers and stacked them.”

The scheduled shipments of munitions increased support for Ramstein’s posture to respond to any emerging theater operations resulting from an increased presence of the Department of Defense’s European Deterrence Initiative.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matt Amato, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions stockpile management technician, ensures proper placement of crates containing inert munitions in a storage facility at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 6. The 86th MUNS provides support to generate and employ air mobility enabling air and space power projection by storing, packaging and shipping the munitions to three combatant commands.

The munitions crews accounted for all components’ serial numbers and placed them within their respective containers in a specified storage building. Each building is built to safely store munitions, components, and bombs on each installation based on the Air Force Weapons Safety Division at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Research and planning are critical when receiving shipments. MUNS Airmen have to figure out the munition component compatibility, type of munition, and where it can be safely stored.

“Precise planning allows MUNS to streamline munitions movements in support of the 86th Airlift Wing’s primary mission of generating air mobility and air power projection,” Fish said.

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