Tyndall Munitions Flight keeps Checkered Flag 17-1 armed and ready

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody R. Miller
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall’s ammo troops maintain weapons systems for Checkered Flag 17-1 and Combat Archer 17-3.

The Airmen of the 325th Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight, commonly known as “Ammo,” handle, store and transport weapons systems for use in achieving Tyndall’s mission to train and project unrivaled combat air power. For two weeks in December, Tyndall projected a different kind of combat air power.

Exercises like Checkered Flag and Combat Archer evaluate how pilots who operate different aircraft coordinate with each other in a large-scale aerial combat force. These exercises also allow younger pilots to deploy live weapons and experience the interaction between the weapon and aircraft. This experience provides the pilot with tangible first-hand knowledge of what to expect when the time comes to deploy munitions on real world targets.

In order to have the best possible expertise for maintaining specialized munitions, munitions specialists go through specific training to learn weapon system maintenance, storage procedures and transportation of munitions.

“Munitions Airmen at Tyndall receive specialized depot-level training to build telemetry missiles that gain valuable weapons data to improve missile reliability and lethality,” said Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin Odom, 325th MXS munitions flight chief. “These live-fire exercises also improve our warfighting capability and provide invaluable pilot training to each of our military services and foreign partners.”

During this most recent Checkered Flag and Combat Archer, the Munitions Flight processed 63 missiles across 13 different models and variants of aircraft. In order to ensure total success, the munitions Airmen went “above and beyond” by posturing and building 81 weapons systems ready to be fired for the exercise.

“Multiple missile systems have very different requirements,” Odom said. “Only trained Tyndall Munitions Airmen are authorized to build and deliver specialized converted missiles. It’s a great feeling of pride knowing that we’re the only specialized unit that is cleared to perform such extensive missile maintenance.”

Long before the first missile was loaded onto an aircraft for Combat Archer, Tyndall munitions Airmen were hard at work preparing. Munitions and the required components are ordered up to four months in advance, and the missile conversion process started almost two months prior to the beginning of the exercise.

“Ammo troops are always committed,” Odom said. “I can truly say that every person contributes in some form or fashion to mission success. Starting with the munitions requisition process to receiving, storing, inspecting, testing or delivering assets. Our drive and determination to ensure continual mission success defends our motto of ’Ammo makes the mission happen.’”

In addition to supporting the munitions requirements for the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group’s Weapon Systems Evaluation Program during Combat Archer, Combat Hammer and Checkered Flag Exercises, the Munitions Flight’s number one priority is to safely maintain a $104 million dollar munitions inventory in support of the 325th Fighter Wing’s 55 F-22 missions to train combat ready pilots.