Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Antonio Mendoza, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament floor supervisor, uses a hand crank to conduct an operations check on a Universal Ammunition Loading System within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The UALS has a 2100 round capacity, which can load multiple F-16 Fighting Falcons’ M61A1 Gatling guns utilized for rapid rearmament during combat operations in support of CENTCOM theater objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kevin Estrada, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance member, loads a 20mm round into a M61A1 Gatling gun during an operations check within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. In compliance with time compliance technical orders, the 378th EMXS Armament Flight disassembles weapon systems to ensure they work correctly and efficiently whenever needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zaria Hicks, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance member, coats a LAU-129 with solid film lubricant within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Once sprayed, the lubricant cures and creates a solid film which prevents corrosion and helps reduce friction of weapon system components, enabling proper functioning in combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Raymond Heredia, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance member, attaches a barrel to a M61A Gatling gun during an operations check within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The 378th EMXS Armament Flight ensures weapon systems adhere to technical orders outlining specifications for assembly and functionality, in order to equip aircraft with a lethal means of force if needed during combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Raymond Heredia, and Senior Airman Kevin Estrada, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance members, attach a mid-barrel clamp assembly to a M61A1 Gatling gun during an operations check within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Routine maintenance and operations checks are conducted to ensure weapons systems remain functional at all times for use in support of deterrence and regional stability operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kevin Estrada, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance member, secures a safety wire to a cylinder block bolt for a MAU-12 ejector rack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. A centerline fuel tank can be mounted to the MAU-12, with the cylinder block functioning as an ejection mechanism, should a pilot need to quickly eject the tank to enhance maneuverability and remain agile and lethal in the dynamic threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elijah Casimir, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron support lead, checks a tool accountability log within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Casimir is responsible for tool accountability and maintaining an ample stock of resources utilized by the 378th EMXS weapons backshop to conduct routine and emergent maintenance operations on F-16 Fighting Falcon weapon systems used in support of deterrence operations in the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

Solid film lubricant is applied to a LAU-129 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Applying solid film lubricant is a preventative maintenance measure used to reduce the amount of parts the 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Armament Flight needs to replace or repair during future operations checks, ultimately increasing the time of operability with properly functioning weapon systems around the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

A 20mm round is loaded in a M61A1 Gatling gun during an operations check within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The M61A is one of numerous weapon systems in the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s payload capabilities, making it one of the most versatile and employed aircraft utilized in combat operations around the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)

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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

Published Aug. 22, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger
378th Air Expeditionary Wing

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Antonio Mendoza, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament floor supervisor, uses a hand crank to conduct an operations check on a Universal Ammunition Loading System within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The UALS has a 2100 round capacity, which can load multiple F-16 Fighting Falcons’ M61A1 Gatling guns utilized for rapid rearmament during combat operations in support of CENTCOM theater objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)