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OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, March 31, 2006 — A group of U.S. Air Force airmen supporting Operation Enduring Freedom attribute their unit's tight-knit camaraderie to their demanding work environment. These airmen build bombs for the B-52 Stratofortress aircraft providing close air support over Afghanistan.
"I feel the mission here is vital. Our 'Buffs' flying above enemy territory is what gives us the upper hand in the ground war."
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph Kitzman
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Their mission here is to store, test, assemble and deliver munitions to the B-52 "Buffs" or any other airframes that may operate from here taking the fight to the bad guy. They are responsible to maintain, in serviceable condition, a munitions stockpile valued in excess of $197 million. This is accomplished with 50 deployed personnel from five different bases, and three different occupational specialties; 12 detachment personnel are also assigned.
Welcome to AMMO’s world. The airmen's goal is to provide 100 percent on-time deliveries using 100 percent reliable weapons, culminating in 100 percent bombs on target. “I feel the mission here is vital. Our 'Buffs' flying above enemy territory is what gives us the upper hand in the ground war,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph Kitzman, 40th Air Expeditionary Group munitions systems specialist journeyman. “Our troops on the ground in Afghanistan know they have superior firepower and support from above, at any given time, just moments away, prepared to deliver tons of warheads if called upon to deliver.” Some of their career field specific duties and responsibilities include testing, assembling and processing non-nuclear munitions. They prepare these munitions for loading on aircraft as well as install warheads, guidance units, fuses, arming wires, explosive bolts, squibs, strakes, wings, fins, control surfaces and tracking flares (bomb building). In addition to bomb building, they are responsible for the receipt, storage, inventory, inspection, maintenance and transportation of all munitions here. ”I love this job – we get to build the bombs that are killing insurgents abroad,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristen Ellis, munitions commander. “Being part of AMMO provides me the opportunity to really feel an impact (pun intended) of my job. “While being away from wife and kids is hard, I love the mission. Providing airpower with our B-52s overhead and protecting our forces on the ground is paramount,” Ellis said. “If what I do here is saving the lives of our troops abroad and keeps our Americas homeland safe, then the sacrifice is more than worth it.” Safety is priority number one when dealing with munitions of this magnitude. AMMO ensures compliance with explosive, |
