Mission Spotlight: Storing Aviano's mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jessica Hines
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  To ensure the mission capability of Aviano's F-16 Fighting Falcons, security forces, explosive ordnance disposal and more, the 31st Munitions Squadron provides comprehensive munitions support 24/7.

Within the 31st MUNS, the materiel flight oversees the storage, maintenance, delivery, safety and overall serviceability of munitions used by various units as well as U.S. and NATO operations.

"We monitor all the assets in our multi-million dollar stockpile," said Staff Sgt. Calvin Baker, 31 MUNS storage crew chief. "We are responsible for ensuring the items are stored properly, serviceable and good to go whenever called upon."

As a crew chief, Baker organizes tasks to determine transportation and delivery of munitions to various sections. Crew chiefs determine everything from the number of Airmen needed to perform the job, logistics and potential environmental hazards, such as weather, which can influence how ammunition is handled.

"This job is really one-of-a-kind," said Baker. "The goal of new troops is to ultimately become crew chiefs and lead an operation to service any particular munition. I'm proud to be a munitions Airman."

According to Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Zell II, 31st MUNS storage production supervisor, managing the stockpile is more than moving and tracking the material, but requires an advanced knowledge and understanding of explosives and ammunition.

"Everything is on a preventative maintenance cycle, we are constantly inspecting items and taking every precaution to ensure we deliver safe, reliable munitions," said Zell. "This is also why our training is constantly evolving and growing based from the needs of the mission; there is always something to learn."

In addition to munitions serviceability, the materiel flight plays a vital role in protecting the safety and security of pilots through monitoring smaller egress explosive items.

"Even without a single training or combat munition on an aircraft, there are still small explosives on it that actually exist to protect the pilot or crew in case of an emergency," explained Zell. "These are critical items that are affixed to the aircraft that the pilot can use to cause an instant reaction, which triggers safety measures such as the catapults in the pilot's ejection seat or a fire-cart that ignites the aircraft's internal extinguisher system in case of a fire."

The materiel flight ensures the life-cycle of these smaller items as well as various counter-measures on aircraft such as chaff and flare, which can be used to deter heat-seeking munitions or signal distress by an aircraft.

"These items must also be maintained to the highest standards to ensure they work if they are needed," said Zell. "Munitions put the combat in air power. That's what makes us powerful. That's what makes the Air Force successful."

Editor's note: Senior Airman Matthew Lotz contributed to this article.