SOUTHWEST ASIA -- F15E Strike Eagles with the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron work to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria while also providing stability to the Levant as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
To accomplish their missions, they first need weaponry, which the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight provides.
“We build assets up, such as our bombs; we will take them from scratch, put them together and get the assets ready to be loaded on the aircraft,” said Airman 1st Class John Carricaburu, 332nd EMXS Munitions Flight munitions technician.
The aircraft in question, the F-15E, can carry most weapons in the Air Force inventory for air-to-ground missions. Furthermore, the Strike Eagle is dual-role fighter so it also capable of air-to-air combat and can be armed with AIM-9M Sidewinders or AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles along with an internally mounted 20mm gun that carries up to 500 rounds.
“We take care of all the weapons for our jets such as the 20mm (gun), bombs, missiles, chaff flares and anything in between,” explained Carricaburu, a native of Wasilla, Alaska.
Munitions Flight Airmen feel as if they have a direct part in the missions supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Their role and the bombs they build are, “essential for the mission” in stopping ISIS, said Airman 1st Class Joshua Lopez, 332nd EMXS Munitions Flight munitions technician. They are, “building bombs, supporting our flight line and making sure warheads get dropped.”
“Everything we build up out here – the bombs … and missiles we put together are being put to use,” Carricaburu said. “It is a very cool feeling knowing that we’re playing that part in the mission; getting the munitions ready for what we need to accomplish.”
Both 332nd EMXS and 494th EFS are deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.