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  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  Slower than a drill, faster than a merry-go-round and infinitely more deadly -- especially if you're on the "business" end.

The M61A1 20mm Gatling-type gun is the primary gun system found on U.S. fighter aircraft. The weapon is able to fire at a rate of 6,000 rounds a minute.

Aircraft armament systems specialists at the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, maintain the M61A1 along with other weapons systems.

Air Force armament specialist use and maintain a variety of test equipment to ensure aircraft weapons systems operate at peak efficiency. If assigned to the gun shop, Airmen will disassemble, inspect, repair and assemble 20 or 30 mm guns and gun systems.

"Our in-depth knowledge of these systems, helps us to diagnose most weapons system problems, said Master Sgt. Michael Riggins, 332 EMXS assistant Armament Flight chief. "Without the armament flight's hard work, the F-16 Fighting Falcon's mission of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat would not be possible."