Airmen hold munitions exercise at Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  Airmen from across the Air Force are participating in the annual Combat Ammunition Production Exercise July 10 through 13 here. 

CAPEX is a three-day non-rated exercise that provides Pacific Air Forces and Air Combat Command units with training in mass-munitions assembly in support of aircraft sortie generation. 

More than 200 Airmen participated and they came from a variety of bases including Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Aviano Air Base, Italy; Kadena AB, Japan; Osan AB, South Korea and the 8th Fighter Wing here. 

"(The exercise is) designed to determine if munitions planning is adequate to support wartime operations plans," said Senior Master Sgt. Harold Whisler, 8th Maintenance Squadron production section superintendent. 

Sergeant Whisler also said the exercise ensures Airmen practice and implement the basics of munitions support to air combat operations, which include munitions breakout, production and delivery skills. 

The exercise consists of 24-hour operations in order to provide training under day and night conditions. 

Participants say the exercise provides valuable training they wouldn't have otherwise received. 

"Where I currently work I don't typically work with the munitions that I'm working with here," said Airman 1st Class Russell Fenimore, 18th Munitions Squadron trailer maintenance crew chief, "This is the first chance I've gotten to be able to work with big and small bombs in order to break them down. I'm definitely learning something new." 

Airman Fenimore also said the CAPEX provided a means to fine tune skills. 

"Practice makes perfect," he said. 

The CAPEX also provided additional benefits. 

"This is a good networking opportunity and it's great to see old friends as well as make new friends," Airman Fenimore said. "You also have fun." 

Sergeant Whisler said the CAPEX continues to be the best tool available for all levels of command within the logistics community to evaluate munitions combat readiness, training requirements and Combat Munitions Plan adequacy. 

"All participants walk away with a better understanding and greater appreciation of what it takes to initiate and sustain combat munitions efforts within the Pacific Theater," he said. 

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