Military

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (USAFENS) -- They descended here with one focus in mind; building bombs. Not just any bombs. They wanted to build the kind that won't come back. It's the lifeblood of any ammo troop.

At first, they didn't build for two weeks, just long enough for them to get antsy, wondering when they'd get their chance. They conducted normal, and to them, mundane, operations until they could build. Being in ammo isn't about paperwork.

It's about building things that go "BOOM."

Once the word came down, the crews hunkered down, braved the weather and started building, and they haven't stopped yet. They haven't stopped because the bombs they're building haven't come back.

For airmen from the 5th Munitions Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., currently deployed here, there's nothing worse than building a bomb and then taking it apart to go back into the stockpile. "Watching an aircraft come back empty is the ultimate in job satisfaction," said Master Sgt. Stephen Sims. "We build, they bomb - that's the mission and the mission wouldn't happen if it wasn't for our bombs."

Sims' office is the build pad, where every bomb starts its life, and his job title is production supervisor but everyone calls him the "Pad Dad." The Pad Dad controls everything happening, from safety to munitions control. The build pad is where the squadron's hard work comes together, culminating into the reason for their being and producing what they've been training for.

Training for the war

For ammo airmen, training is very much a part of the daily grind in the bomb dump. Many hours are needed to conduct a successful wartime mission. Their mission here has been successful so far thanks to "Ammo Warrior," a monthly training exercise at Minot AFB.

"Ammo Warrior is a generation exercise that keeps us proficient and prepares us for the real world," said 1st Lt. Fransisco Vega, munitions flight commander. "If we're not deployed, we're training to deploy."

Part of that training is preparing to deploy, which isn't restricted to what happens on the build pad. It starts at home.

"Our main concern was getting families ready, letting them know what to expect and informing them of what was available to them while their spouse was deployed, especially services offered by the family support center," said the lieutenant, who is on his first deployment. "Those who had deployed before shared their experiences and tips on how to handle separation."

Taking care of the families is what Vega believes makes a successful deployment.

"If our people are worried about how their family members are doing, they won't be focused on the job. We want to give them a sense of security."

Many airmen here, as well as their families, have already felt the sting of separation that deployment brings.

"We've been getting hit hard," said Master Sgt. J.C. Riggs, talking about the unit's deployments to other bomber forward-operating locations. Riggs is on his second rotation in one year.

Currently on her second deployment in the past six months, and with only around two years in the Air Force, Airman 1st Class Zoua Vong doesn't mind the fast rotations.

"I don't have a family so I don't mind deploying. I'm enjoying the opportunity of being able to go different places."

Sims and Vega both agree it isn't a hard sell to get ammo troops to hit the road.  "Most ammo troops are already motivated anyway, so it wasn't a problem when we knew we were going to deploy again," Sims said.

"Everyone was mentally and physically ready," Vega added. "Ready to take care of what needed to be done."

Back on the pad

Right now the job is being taken care of by Minot's ammo troops, who make up slightly more than one-third of the unit. Rounding out the rest of the unit are airmen from four other bases, including Reservists called to active duty.

In addition, not all of the airmen on the build pad are "to-the-bone" ammo troops. Airman 1st Class Jason Hodge is a missile maintenance troop augmented to ammo.

"I volunteered to be augmented because in my career field we don't get to be a part of conflicts like this," he explained. "I wanted to do something different for a while. I'm glad I volunteered because it's great to see those B-52s go. I feel like I'm a part of their mission."

Being part of the mission is what it's all about to these Ammo troops, according to ammo's top dog here.

"Here we get to see the results of our builds. At Minot, we build training (inert) assets," said Chief Master Sgt. Ricky Quattlebaum, munitions flight chief. "When inert assets are dropped, all you get is a big thud. The bomb is buried in the ground. Sometimes we do build live assets and we do get feedback, but the purpose and effects aren't the same.

"We like to think our job is one of the most important. We're part of a large team that contributes to the success of a larger team," he continued. "Seeing the empty racks and getting a thumbs up from the pilots is one of the most enjoyable and successful feelings an ammo troop can have. Our job, responsibility to the success of this operation, is extremely important.  If we do not build correctly, bombs do not function correctly, and the mission is a failure."

As the building continues, spirits remain high. Every Buff that returns from a mission and taxis by the build pad is greeted by ammo troops welcoming them home. Flight crews are rewarded with noises of a job well done, as well as a large flag waving proudly over the pad. These airmen know a successful mission because the aircraft's wings are empty. The bombs - their bombs - aren't coming back. Mission complete.