DVIDS – News – Ammunition troops are a vital but often forgotten part of the air-to-air refueling world


An often overlooked specialty in the refueling community is the Ammunition Systems Specialist, colloquially known as “Ammunition Troops” throughout the Air Force. Although Ammunition Specialists are generally not considered when it comes to the air-to-air refueling mission, they play a vital role within the unit that can easily go unnoticed.

“The biggest difference between here and being on active duty is that no one knows we’re here,” said Master Sgt. Jesse Connerly, ammunition flight chief assigned to 151st Maintenance Squadron. “We’re a little under the radar which is good and bad. When I was first posted here, I was initially going to cross-train to become a civil engineering electrician. I didn’t even know there were “Ammo” here until I met a guy who was in this store leaving, so I went back here to his place. “

A typical “bomb dump,” as it is known throughout the Air Force, is made up of 100 to 250 airmen. At the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City, Utah, a small team of two work in an even smaller office, along with an ammunition inspection building, located on the waterfront. of the footprint of the base.

Connerly, who has served with the Utah Air National Guard for thirteen years now after six years of active duty, says he appreciates how unique the mission is with the Utah Air National Guard.

“We are one of the few units to have their own NEM [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] unit and they are now a regional training center for other active duty guard units and EOD units. said Connerly, “They bring guys over to Camp Williams for their field training drills a few times a year so we support that a lot.”

With just two full-time employees and an additional exercise status guard, Ammunition Specialists store everything from smoke grenades to ammunition and training items for units like Flight EOD, Security Forces Squadron basics and more.

“Everything is just a little different [here]Tech said. Sgt. Zachary Dewitt, Ammunition Inspector at 151st Maintenance Squadron, “Everyone is so close here, it’s like family.”

An example of the close-knit nature of the guard was when Munitions Flight was to receive new explosives storage magazines.

“We had a lot of different people show up. We had maintainers, and I think we even had cops [come help], “Dewitt said,” if it had been just us, it would have taken us days to do it ourselves. We couldn’t have done it without everyone.

In less than a day, members of the 151st Maintenance Squadron gathered to help munitions troops unload and reload a variety of munitions, including smoke grenades, ammunition and various explosive training items from a set of explosives storage magazines in new.

“I think they enjoyed it,” Dewitt said, “most people didn’t know they were here. They got to come and see all of this stuff and some people thought it was the coolest thing. .

In total, over 700,000 rounds worth over $ 500,000 have been moved in and out of ammunition storage facilities.

Date taken: 13.12.2021
Date posted: 04/01/2022 5:16 PM
Story ID: 412452
Site: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, United States

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