Barksdale undergoes second NSSAV of 2009

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandra M. Longfellow
  • 2d Bomb Wing
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale Airmen completed the second Nuclear Surety Staff Assistant Visit of this year at the end of July. 

Squadrons inspected during the visit included the 2d Security Forces Squadron, 2d Medical Group, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 2d Maintenance Squadron, 2d Civil Engineer Squadron and 2d Munitions Squadron. 

The visit assessed Barksdale's weapons capabilities, ensuring readiness at anytime, anywhere, in a moment's notice. 

The guests arrived here from Headquarters, Air Combat Command for the intent to prepare Barksdale for upcoming no-notice inspections. 

ACC looked for how squadrons followed technical orders and procedures during the handling and security of weapons and equipments. 

The 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron loaded weapons safely, quickly and efficiently as well as maintained the programs that are needed to support that mission. 

"This is not something that 2d AMXS accomplishes alone," said Capt. Tanisha Washington, 2d AMXS officer in charge. "The 2d MXS ensures the weapons trailers are serviceable and stands by to correct and discrepancies that are specific to that squadron. We all do our part to ensure weapons are ready. It is a very delicate operation that would not work without all of these entities." 

The 2d MXS contributed to the mission as the aerospace ground equipment flight spent nearly two weeks scrutinizing all certified equipment. 

The 2d MXS team provided 100 percent compliant certified equipment in support of the directed generation that took place on the flightline. The equipment included the munitions handling trailers, bomb lifts and various pieces of aerospace ground equipment to support the loading of weapons into the aircraft. 

"Over 95 pieces were inspected to ensure compliance with the technical orders used for repair of each piece of equipment," said Master Sgt. David Rakes, 2d MXS, aerospace ground equipment flight chief. "In addition, the facilities and grounds also had to be in inspection order." 

The 2d Security Forces Squadron provided security for the visit as well as being inspected themselves on different scenarios. 

"Our mission was to secure any B-52s that come in at other bases that contain weapons," said Technical Sgt. Sterling Fernandez, 2d SFS area supervisor. 

The security personnel trained for the visit for almost two months. Airmen skillfully qualified on their physical training, weapons qualification, scenarios for real-world accounts and written exams. 

Members of the explosive ordnance disposal team demonstrated the capability to respond to emergency situations and recovery procedures during weapon and aircraft systems. 

"All team members were recognized as superior performances," said Technical Sgt. James Martin, 2d Civil Engineering Squadron EOD operations non-commissioned officer in charge. 

According to Master Sgt. John Wilkens, 2d Bomb Wing superintendent inspector and evaluator, the visitors are requested to come to evaluate our operations at Barksdale.
 
"There was so much improvement since our 2008 inspection with the NSSAV," said Sergeant Wilkens. "They come here to tell us what we did wrong and we fix it. It is good that we have them inspect us to prepare ourselves for the real inspections." 

With the feedback from this NSSAV, Barksdale prepares for a nuclear surety exercise in mid-August as well as the upcoming conventional operations readiness inspection in December.