Photo By Lance Cpl. Josue Aguirre | Lance Cpl. Karrissa Lawrence, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 ordnance...... read more read more
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Editor’s note: “The anatomy of aviation logistics support” is a series of articles that will cover the different jobs Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 performs which helps other squadrons function seamless. This issue of the Desert Warrior will cover MALS-13 ordnance.
YUMA, Ariz. - Contrary to popular belief, bombs don't just fall out of the sky. The fact of the matter is there's a process of how each and every bomb is made and mounted before it is released from a Harrier.
Here on the air station, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 ordnance handles this process, which ensures the station's Harriers have the arsenal they need for combat.
"We provide the aircraft the ability to run support for ground troops," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Walsh, MALS-13 ordnance technician and collateral duty quality assurance representative. "We build bombs so pilots can do their jobs."
The process begins when one of the Harrier squadrons places an order and it goes through MALS-13 ordnance's ammo stock and recording section. The ordnance technicians then make their way south of the station to the bomb dump, or build-up area, where the ordnance is located. Once there, they handle or prepare the bombs, missiles, warheads and rockets specified.
After the ordnance is completed, the technicians haul it to one of the station combat aircraft loading areas with a 7-ton vehicle where other Marines mount the ordnance to the aircraft.
An average day can consist of making approximately 25-30 bombs, said Sgt. Jason Nettle, MALS-13 ordnance technician and quality assurance safety observer. During events such as the weapons and tactics instructor course, however, the number can increase up to 40-50 bombs a day.
The six different types of bombs, which ordnance technicians make high-explosive or inert depending on its purpose, include general purpose bombs such as the MK82 at 500 pounds or the MK83 at 1,000 pounds. They also handle guided bomb units to include joint direct attack munitions bombs like the GBU-38 and GBU-32, or laser-guided bombs such as the GBU-12 and GBU-16.
There are three major types of missiles they work with, explained 22-year-old Nettles. They have Sidewinders, which are used air-to-air, Mavericks, employed air-to-ground, and AMRAAMs which stands for advanced medium range air-to-air missiles.
Aviation ordnance Marines here also assemble explosive units made up of warheads and rockets. The five types of warheads they attach to either 2.75- or 5-inch rockets are: high-explosive, red or white phosphorus smoke, flechette and inert warheads.
Aside from explosive or inert ordnance released from aircraft, the ordnance team also handles and maintains the 25 mm gun systems on the Harriers here.
The Black Widows' ordnance section, like the other components of MALS-13, has proven to be a vital asset here on station and to Marine Corps aviation. Producing the ordnance that Harriers, as well as visiting squadrons' F-18 Hornets, use to complete training or whatever mission there may be, these Marines are on top of it and prepared with the knowledge to make aircraft capable of serious damage.
The importance of ordnance on combat aircraft couldn't be summed up better than by Walsh's comment: "Without us, they're just another airline."
Editor's note: "The anatomy of aviation logistics support" is a series of articles that will cover the different jobs Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 performs which helps other squadrons function seamless. This issue of the Desert Warrior will cover MALS-13 ordnance.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2011 11:41 |
| Story ID: | 74285 |
| Location: | YUMA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 383 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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