Photo By Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble | U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 388th munitions squadron, secure four GBU/39B...... read more read more
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HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH -- The 388th Munitions Squadron(MUNS), based out of the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, began a new training regimen recently encompassing each of the twelve different sections that fall under the 388th MUNS.
Starting in the precision-guided munitions section, airmen from one of the other eleven sections in the squadron received training on the Guided Bomb Unit-39, or GBU/39 small diameter bomb, which covered proper loading and unloading techniques on the GBU/39, and its bomb rack, the BRU-61.
“What we did today was connect the GBU/39 small diameter bomb system with the mating system, the BRU-61, which all go up together on the F-35A,” said Staff Sergeant Kenneth Kirven, 388th MUNS precision-guided munitions crew chief and lead instructor for the training. “This training is important because this is exactly something we would do downrange on a daily basis. Everybody is trained and ready on this system when we have to deploy.”
The new 388th MUNS training program improves the effectiveness and overall readiness of 388th MUNS by bringing airmen from various sections within the squadron and training them on a weapon system that they might not work with on a day-to-day basis.
“Each section within MUNS has their own job and they typically stick to their specific mission,” said Airman Steven Cesena, munition systems crew member. “I usually build larger bombs like the GBU/31, so seeing the GBU/39 is significantly smaller. This training does a great job of keeping our Airmen well-rounded. My specific job might change when I deploy so learning the PGM side of MUNS keeps me prepared for whatever might be thrown my way.”
To some, seeing a technical order might help one learn, but Cesena says actually getting hands-on experience is the best way for him to learn about a new bomb system.
“I’ve read about small diameter bombs, but when I actually see and get to work on them, it’s a lot better,” said Cesena. “I just learned exactly how we would begin the process of transporting them to the flight line and how we would properly prepare them to make sure everything is safe. If one little thing is off, it could be a game-changer that impacts the mission.”
As with most everything in the Air Force, the munitions squadron heavily relies on teamwork and efficiency that is crucial to completing their mission of getting bombs downrange.
“Nothing today could have been done with one or two people, we had to be well-rounded and have good communication to complete this training,” Cesena said. “It’s good working with other shops, even if it’s just learning new faces so you’re familiar with each other in future operations and trainings with other shops.”
The new training program helps newer Airmen familiarize themselves with different kinds of munitions, like the GBU/39 that they worked with, but it also helps the crew chiefs learn the small intricacies that come with the job, and how to teach those to the next generation of Airmen.
“By crew chiefing with the same guys everyday, we get used to how each other operates, so when we get to work with a new team, I still learn new tips that might not be in our crew book, but are still helping in our operations,” Kirven said. “These things might seem small, but they help out the crew chiefs and crew members as well. I hope we can keep building and growing off the current training program we have right now.
| Date Taken: | 07.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2021 17:52 |
| Story ID: | 400831 |
| Location: | HILL AFB, UTAH, US |
| Web Views: | 200 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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