Features

The Bombs and Bullets

September 12, 2013
Story and photos by Senior Airman Chris Willis
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Brian Warner, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions storage crew chief, posts an explosive placard on the front of a tractor to ensure the proper hazard class is displayed while munitions are transported Aug. 22 on Ramstein. The munitions will be transported to an in-transit munitions facility where they will be shipped in support of worldwide operations.
Staff Sgt. Brian Warner, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions storage crew chief, posts an explosive placard on the front of a tractor to ensure the proper hazard class is displayed while munitions are transported Aug. 22 on Ramstein. The munitions will be transported to an in-transit munitions facility where they will be shipped in support of worldwide operations.

Without ammo the fighter aircraft is just another passenger plane. The aircraft needs the bombs and bullets to provide the critical close air support for service members on the ground.

The 86th Munitions Squadron transports munitions assets for other bases’ redistribution or in support of contingency operations. The unit acts more like a depot where they store munitions to be shipped for worldwide support.

Staff Sgt. Brian Warner, Senior Airman Matthew Dankiewicz and Airman 1st Class David Shelton, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions storage crew members, load munitions onto a trailer.
Staff Sgt. Brian Warner, Senior Airman Matthew Dankiewicz and Airman 1st Class David Shelton, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions storage crew members, load munitions onto a trailer.

“MUNS is important, because we maintain the assets loaded on the aircraft in support of wartime operations,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Bodley, 86th MUNS assistant NCOIC.

What makes the mission here different is it’s not a fighter base; it’s an airlift wing. Here, the mission is geared more toward supporting operations downrange and to forward deploy requested munitions.
In the past year, Airmen from the 86th MUNS have received 5.1 million assets with a net explosive weight of 94,000 pounds, which is worth more than $107 million.

The 86th MUNS also does two annual 100 percent inventories and multiple 10 percent inventories. The inspections are held three times annually to help keep 100 percent of the stockpile inventoried and accounted for.

Senior Airman Matthew Dankiewicz, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions storage crew member, spots a vehicle to ensure munitions are loaded safely onto a trailer Aug. 22 on Ramstein.
Senior Airman Matthew Dankiewicz, 86th Munitions Squadron munitions storage crew member, spots a vehicle to ensure munitions are loaded safely onto a trailer Aug. 22 on Ramstein.

“If something appears to be damaged, it’s taken to our munitions inspection where they will determine the extent of the damage,” Bodley said. “If it’s deemed unserviceable, the item will then be packaged and shipped back for disposition.”

Ammo as a career is more than just munitions. Ammo Airmen support training operations across the
globe.

“Ammo is in great demand. There are constant training exercises, and we stay busy by providing munitions support and guidance on the ammo being used,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Warner, 86th MUNS storage crew chief.

The precision guided munitions shop maintains several missile systems comprised of approximately 730 missiles and associated components worth a total of $193.2 million, making Ramstein a hub for weapons storage and transport throughout the area of responsibility.

“We support the Air Force mission,” Warner said. “We are the bombs and bullets in the fight.”

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