Misawa Airmen conclude ATR integration with Andersen's 36th MUNS

by Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos
36th Wing Public Affairs

2/8/2013 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  -- Munitions Airmen from the 35th Maintenance Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan, packed up their specialized equipment here, Jan. 31, 2013, after integrating with the 36th Munitions Squadron to support the 35th Fighter Wing's aviation training relocation.

The aviation training relocation program is designed to increase operational readiness while reducing the impact of training on local communities.

For approximately two-and-a-half weeks, Misawa Airmen worked with Team Andersen Airmen in support of the 35th FW's F-16 Fighting Falcons. This allowed the team from Misawa to successfully expend everything they were tasked to build and drop during the ATR, with the exception of the flights and munitions drops affected by weather delays.

"We usually do not have a range or the right weather to be able to accomplish all our annual sorties that require dropping live munitions," said Tech. Sgt. Cameron Neuman, 35th MXS precision guided munitions noncommissioned officer in charge. "That is why we look to other bases in order to fulfill our requirements."

Though there are other locations in the Pacific where the F-16 crews can accomplish their sorties, Sergeant Neuman said Andersen usually has the best flying weather at this time of year, which allows the F-16 pilots to produce higher sortie rates for dropping live munitions.

Months before arrival, Misawa was in constant correspondence with Andersen in order to make sure Andersen could provide for Misawa's munitions production needs.
It is typical for Misawa's munitions Airmen to travel with their fighters, taking with them production equipment specific for fighter munitions.

"We try to send our Airmen with the fighters because we use specialized equipment to work on fighter munitions," said Sergeant Neuman. "Our fighters use missiles and bullets, which are not usually what Andersen's Airmen work with as they are more accustomed to supporting the bombers; however, these differences create the wealth of knowledge found in the exchanges of information and integration between the Airmen."

The 35th MXS munitions Airmen integrated with 36th MUNS conventional maintenance to finish building bombs, then with line delivery to build countermeasures and deliver munitions to the aircraft. Andersen's line delivery Airmen conducted flightline orientation for the Misawa Airmen and showed them the flightline routes designated for explosives.

"Typically in our area of responsibility, we constantly receive incoming forces," said Senior Master Sgt. Douglas Collins, 36th MUNS production flight chief. "Even though we're only getting small teams at a time, it gives us validation that our process of integrating Airmen works, especially when we have to work together for real-world missions."