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Ammo Airmen support operations

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. David Miller
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  When the B-1B Lancer is called to provide decisive air power for ground troops, the work of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions flight is never more evident than when bombs are dropped on target providing air superiority for those supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ammo Airmen are responsible for building and maintaining several different types of munitions in support of the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and other units throughout Air Forces Central Command's area of responsibility.

The Airmen in the 379th EMXS munitions flight perform maintenance and inspection functions on the weapons used to support the B1-B Lancer.

From start to finish they follow their technical data, which tells them exactly how the bomb is to be assembled.

"The Airmen of the munitions flight are highly professional and they ensure high explosive weapons are assembled and tested in according with applicable technical data, while ensuring the safety of the base populace. That's why we're located on the far side of base," said Senior Master Sgt. David Reeves, the 379th EMXS munitions flight chief deployed from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., and a Jonesville, La., native.

Assembled munitions not used right away are stored in a staging area until the mission requires them. But like most quality products, the systems they build have a shelf-life. Once they've expired, they need to be taken apart, inspected and reassembled.

"Every six months, we have to do an AMSI (Assembled Munitions Serviceability Inspection) to make sure the munition is serviceable and within the service life dates," said Staff Sgt. Tyler Galvan, a 379th EMXS conventional munitions maintenance inspector deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and a Hughson, Calif., native.

"The munitions flight doing its job correctly is the difference between life and death for the fighting forces we support," said Capt. Matthew Mashek, the 379th EMXS munitions flight commander, deployed from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and a Munroe Falls, Ohio native. "We can't afford to "take a day off" or do our job half-way. Every member of the munitions flight is held to a high standard and is a consummate professional; building munitions in a safe, secure, and reliable manner."

The majority of the 379th EMXS conventional maintenance section is deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D, providing quality munitions supporting combat operations and providing air support to deployed troops on the ground throughout the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility.

"Their efforts are felt across the entire AOR, knowing that if and when the B1-B Lancer is called upon the bombs maintained by the munitions flight will be used to get the mission done while protecting our brothers and sisters that are in harm's way," said Reeves.