MUNS keeps bombs mission-ready

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. , May 3, 2012 — Paint by numbers. It sounds simple with water colors, a pad of paper and a paint brush. The idea gets a bit more complicated when the same concept is applied to building bombs.

Airman 1st Class Shane Shriner, 2nd Munitions Squadron storage and handling, gave the painting analogy to describe his flight's job when building bombs. He explained the additional parts that can be added to the bombs are like different water colors when a person is following a paint by numbers picture.

"Each type of bomb begins with the same body," he said. "Part of our job is to make sure we gather the right parts from our storage facilities, so the Airmen who build the bombs can follow their "paint by numbers" instructions."

The pieces Shriner gathers depend on the type of bomb MUNS Airmen are building. Additions to the bomb body can dictate explosion times, impact points and blast radiance. The type of bomb 2 MUNS builds depends on the mission B-52H Stratofortress aircrews are scheduled to complete.

When 2 MUNS storage and handling flight Airmen aren't focused on prepping the bombs for a mission, their priority is keeping the bombs safely stored.

There are several regular activities these Airmen do to ensure they are following correct safety regulations. In this business, errors can cause major damage to people and property.

As members of the Barksdale community drive past the 2 MUNS area on the East Reservation, they'll most likely notice the grassy hill-like structures scattered throughout a field. According to Shriner, it's Airmen in 2 MUNS storage and handling who ensure the proper amount of dirt and grass is piled on the concrete structures at all times.

"This is a preventative measure," he said. "If the bombs happen to explode for some reason, that dirt and grass covering will help take a lot of impact off the blow and will put out fire, keeping the explosion contained."

The storage units must also be separated enough so that if one explodes it can't reach far enough to detonate the next unit. According to Shriner, if there wasn't enough separation and one unit exploded, the others would soon follow creating a domino effect. Ensuring the correct spacing is observed protects Barksdale's bombs from disaster.

"We are responsible for numerous structures on a large area of land," said Airman 1st Class Kealahni Tabata, 2 MUNS storage and handling. "We make sure everything is maintained in accordance with the Department of Defense."

Some additional duties 2 MUNS storage and handling Airmen complete include verifying the storage units are locked and secured at all times, ventilation units are working correctly to ensure air flow and to keep moisture out of the structures so the bombs aren't weathered, and continuously preparing for various base exercises. The team is ready for war at all times.

According to Shriner, no matter what the task at hand, the 2 MUNS Airmen work great together.

"There's a lot of pride in this career field," he said. "We're like a family. I can count on these guys for anything."