28th Munitions Squadron builds multi-capable Airmen with Pacific Air Forces’ partners

ANDERSEN AIR BASE, Guam-- Eight U.S. Airmen from the 28th Munition Squadron assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and two Airmen from Andersen Air Base’s 36th MUNS, recently participated in a bomb build during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 2.

During the BTF deployment, Airmen demonstrated lethality and interoperability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

28th Munitions Squadron builds multi-capable Airmen with Pacific Air Forces’ partners U.S. Airman 1st Class Mikayla Walker, the 28th Munitions Squadron armament maintenance member, inserts a fuse cable through a joint direct attack munition during a Cope North exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 02, 2023. Airmen from 28th MUNS participated in a bomb-build during a Bomber Task Force deployment to gain experience during their time away from their home station. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Yendi Borjas)

28th Munitions Squadron builds multi-capable Airmen with Pacific Air Forces’ partners U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Walton, 28th Munitions Squadron armament maintenance member, transfers a joint direct attack munition during a Cope North exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 02, 2023. Ten U.S. Airmen from the 28th MUNS and two Airmen from the 36th MUNS recently participated in a bomb build to enhance training and readiness during a Bomber Task Force deployment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Yendi Borjas)

28th Munitions Squadron builds multi-capable Airmen with Pacific Air Forces’ partners U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin McCoullough, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron senior enlisted leader, inserts a fuse cable through a joint direct attack munition during a Cope North exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 02, 2023. Four of the Airmen who participated in the bomb-build are armament back shop troops who completed the exercise using knowledge gained during the Agile Combat Employment boot camp conducted at their home station. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Yendi Borjas)

“Airmen from the 28th MUNS are getting real-world experience during this BTF deployment,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cody Williams, 28th MUNS production supervisor. “They are taking everything they learned at home station and putting it into play in a deployed environment.”

Six out of the ten Airmen from the 28th MUNS who participated in the bomb build do not normally build bombs. In fact, four of them are assigned armament back shop Airmen, an entirely different Air Force career field.

“Usually, the armament back shop troops maintain the weapon support equipment, but they recently participated in the first-ever eight-month Agile Combat Employment boot camp at Ellsworth,” said U.S. Air Force Major Robin Szasz, 28th Maintenance Squadron director of operations. “These Airmen were taught how to build bombs, a skill completely outside their core Air Force specialty.”

The 28th MUNS also took the opportunity during the BTF deployment to also provide valuable training for the two Airmen assigned to the 36th MUNS.

The purpose of the bomb build was to develop multi-capable Airmen, so no matter where they are stationed or deployed, they are prepared for a world of increasing uncertainty, all while having the proper training to respond to any contingency.

“We are the clenched fist of the American people,” said Williams. “The most rewarding part of the job is to get our hands dirty and showcasing what we are capable of during the BTF deployment makes it worthwhile.”

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28th Munitions Squadron builds multi-capable Airmen with Pacific Air Forces’ partners

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