AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy. -- Munitions Airmen often use the MJ-1 series bomb lift truck to help transport, load and unload a wide variety of munitions and other supplies. Typically, a ladder is used to make small adjustments for precise positioning of supplies during loading. But now, members from the 31st Maintenance Squadron are innovating a locally manufactured platform called the MJ-1 STEP. It’ll be attached to the front wheel area of the MJ-1, where the weapon troops can step up on, eliminating the need for a ladder.
“MJ-1 STEP will be utilized to streamline the loading of munitions,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Armand Guting, 31st MXS aircraft metals technology technician. “Instead of weapons troops having to carry a ladder, it will allow them to expedite their process by using the actual step as a maintenance platform.”
Airman Basic Jeffery Jenkins, 31st MXS aircraft metals technology technician, has been working on the MJ-1 STEP.
His primary duty on this project is to analyze and interpret the blueprints of the MJ-1 STEP. He manufactures the steps to engineer specifications.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to support the mission hands on,” said Jenkins.
Additionally, weapons teams are excited for what the innovation will bring to the mission.
“The step provides a safe means for a crew member to access certain areas of the munition and launcher not regularly accessible without a ladder,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Pritt, 31st Aircraft Munitions Squadron weapons team chief.
The MJ-1 STEP was innovated because as members of the U.S Air Force we need to continue the mission of being lethal and rapidly ready.
“This project is very important for our combat readiness,” said Guting. “It’s a primary method for munition troops to load munitions safely and we want to always be mission ready.”