Ammo warriors keep close-air support of U.S., coalition forces a reality

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  Keeping a mission-capable supply of bullets coming as A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots respond to close-air support requests is a key role for a group of Airmen taking part in the ongoing global war on terrorism. 

Deployed here from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., the role of the 455th Air Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron munitions flight is to provide ammunition to those experiencing combat with enemy aggressors. 

“Our job is to fully maintain, assemble and deliver a ready supply of ammunition for all A-10 operations in support of Marine, Army and other Coalition forces fighting on the front lines in the war on terrorism,” said 2nd Lt. J. Brent McCraney, munitions flight commander, from Charlotte, N.C. 

U.S. and coalition aircraft, as well as various support agencies deployed here also benefit from the work of the munitions flight. 

“If C-130s or C-17s need a re-supply of defensive countermeasures, we’re here to take care of them,” said Master Sgt. Christopher Nastase, munitions systems superintendent. “We also account for and maintain munitions for some deployed coalition aircraft as well as 11 on-base customer accounts, such as security forces and explosive ordnance disposal.” 

Sergeant Nastase, from Omaha, Neb., said his team makes the A-10 mission possible. 

“Without us, the A-10s wouldn’t have much impact in supporting the troops on the ground,” Sergeant Nastase said. “We help make all this a reality.” 

Senior Airman Matthew Logue, a conventional maintenance crewmember, said he’s enjoying his deployment here. 

“Unlike back home, this is no longer a training environment,” he said. “Dealing with the real munitions every day is a nice change.” 

When he lays his head down at night, Airman Logue, from Atoka, Okla., feels as though he and his co-workers made a difference in the lives of others. 

“Every piece of munitions an A-10 pilot uses to save the life of any of our guys or to end the life of a terrorist, I know we had a hand in it,” he said. “Anything we can do to help stop the growing threat of terrorism across the globe is worth the effort. Isn’t this the reason why we’re all serving in today’s military?” 

Since Sept. 15, the 455th EAMXS munitions flight has supplied more than 23,000 rounds of 30mm ammunition, 15,000 countermeasures, 103 2.75-inch rockets, 14 500-pound air burst bombs and nine laser-guided bombs in support of the ongoing global war on terrorism.