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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Richard Spurgeon, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist, spray paints munition specifications on a GBU-12 here, June 16. The pained code will tell weapons loaders the munition type and what components are contained in it. The GBU-12 can self-guide to a target pinpointed by a laser designator, which helps to minimize collateral damage resulting from detonation. Airman Spurgeon is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Dan Weaver, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist, pieces together a fuse for a GBU-12 here, June 16. The fuse and its components detonate the munition and increase the force of the explosion; the GBU-12 can self-guide to a target pinpointed by a laser designator, which helps to minimize collateral damage resulting from detonation. Sergeant Weaver is deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Russell Michels, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist, connects a GBU-12 arming lanyard to a bomb body here, June 16. This lanyard, which is connected directly into the aircraft, will initiate internal components and detonation timing according to the aircraft specifications. The GBU-12 is a laser-guided munition. Sergeant Michels is deployed from Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Nathan Baker and Staff Sgt. Jose Landeros, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialists, measure the length of a GBU-12 arming lanyard to a bomb body here, June 16. This measurement varies based on the aircraft to which the munition is attached. The GBU-12 is a laser-guided munition. Airman Baker is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Sergeant Landeros is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Munitions systems specialist Airmen assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, build fuses for GBU-12s here, June 16. The team is responsible for building, maintaining and storing various munitions to support Operation Iraqi Freedom kinetic strikes. The GBU-12 can self-guide to a target pinpointed by a laser designator. Since January, F-16s flown by the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group have engaged in more than 315 kinetic strikes. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Richard Spurgeon, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist, connects a GBU-12 arming lanyard to a bomb body here, June 16. The length of the lanyard is determined based upon on the aircraft it will be attached to. This lanyard controls the initiation timing according to the aircraft specifications; the GBU-12 can self-guide to a target pinpointed by a laser designator, which helps to minimize collateral damage resulting from detonation. Airman Spurgeon is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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Shaw Airmen in Iraq

Published June 17, 2008

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