Munitions distribution involves detailed accuracy

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cassandra Locke
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) --  Not all of the Airmen assigned to the 23rd Maintenance Squadron’s munitions flight build bombs. 

“Having munitions issued to any customer, whether it is for the A-10 (Thunderbolt II) or C-130 (Hercules) aircraft, a special tactics troop or a cop, involves a significantly detailed process,” said Airman 1st Class Greg Frazier, 23rd MXS munitions accountability apprentice. 

That’s where the materiel section of the 23rd MXS munitions flight comes in. They make sure the issuing process goes as smoothly as possible. Within the section are munitions accountability troops, inspectors and storage maintainers. 

“We look into all of the munitions issued, turned in and those expended on base,” Airman Frazier said. “We have been entrusted to account for about $32 million worth of munitions.” 

Using a tracking site called the Combat Ammunitions System, the munitions accountability Airmen maintain 37 accounts which inventory ammunition in someone else’s possession. 

“For example, if a cop is issued 1,000 bullets from us, we have that documented in the (system). If 100 of the used rounds are turned back into the inspection shop, they let us know and we update the (system),” said Senior Airman Brian Lilley, munitions accountability journeyman. “We account for every single round on this base.” 

When someone requests munitions, the accountability Airmen start the process by sending the request to the munitions inspectors. The inspectors check the ammunitions to make sure they are serviceable and identify any potential hazards and possible wear. This process verifies all munitions residue is properly inspected and certified, while making sure munitions are packaged and marked according to Department of Defense and transportation directives. 

During contingencies, the inspectors supervise handling of guided-bomb units, cluster-bomb units, general-purpose bombs, precision-guided munitions, air-to-ground, air-intercept missiles and suspended utility-unit operations, said Master Sgt. Randall Dills, 23rd MXS munitions systems superintendent.

The 12-person team inspects ammo found on base as well. After the ammo is inspected, it is stored by the munitions flight storage team. 

The 25-person storage team prepares and schedules munitions for shipment, while determining the capability to support storage.

“The (storage team) is responsible for the proper receipt, storage, shipment and handling of all conventional and training munitions,” Sergeant Dills said.

The crew maintains the storage facilities, called igloos, to store the explosives for training, daily operations, mobility and war reserve materiel, Sergeant Dills said. They also handle cluster-bomb units, guided and general-purpose bombs, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and suspended utility units used during contingency operations. 

“A lot is expected of us here because ‘AMMO’ not only builds bombs, but has to maintain, inspect, account for and store them … it’s a team effort,” Airman Frazier said.