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Airmen get hands on with bombs

Team Shaw Airmen prepare to lift an inert munition during an Ammo assembly demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2015. The demonstration gave 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron munition flight Airmen the opportunity to teach non-munitions Airmen how to assemble the munitions that are loaded onto the F-16CM Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)

Airmen get hands on with bombs

A 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Airman shows an inert guided bomb unit fuse during an Ammo assembly demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2015. After a safety briefing and instructions on the various pieces of a munition, the non-muntions Airmen acted on what they were taught and built an inert bomb. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)

Airmen get hands on with bombs

Team Shaw Airmen begin the assembly of an inert guided bomb during an Ammo assembly demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2015. Airmen assigned to the 20th Equipment Maintenance unit gave non-munitions Airmen various instructions and tips throughout the assembly process, as well as safety briefings on what to do around the different pieces of munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)

Airmen get hands on with bombs

Team Shaw Airmen bolt the fin on an inert guided bomb unit during an Ammo assembly demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 1, 2015. Non-muntions Airmen were given the opportunity to build bombs and learn about the various duties that 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Airmen execute on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)

Airmen get hands on with bombs

Published Dec. 3, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- As the Airmen approach the gates, they wait anxiously for security to buzz them into the community known to many as Ammo. The opportunity to build one of the many weapons the F-16CM Fighting Falcon has in its arsenal was merely a dream to most of them.

December 1st, however, the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron munitions flight hosted an event in which Airmen from varying career fields came out to the ammunition yard to experience the mission of the 20th EMS munitions flight. They received hands on training with the same munitions that attach to Shaw Air Force Base's F-16s.

"The purpose of this event is to change the perception that the munitions flight is closed off inside of our fence," said 2nd Lt. Dana Basso, 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron munitions flight commander. "We are all on the same team, in the same fight, and need to work together in a variety of ways to get the mission done anytime, anywhere."

Airmen spent their evening building inert bombs under supervision of munitions flight Airmen, learning about what goes into the assembly of these munitions.

"Where I work I'm sitting in an office every day and you hear about other jobs, but you don't really get to experience them," said Airman 1st Class Elle Kienitz, 20th Communication Squadron cyber surety specialist.

Due to the events success, the munitions flight plans to host future demonstrations.
"After the new year we are hoping to hold a similar bomb building experience for commanders and chiefs from across the base," said Basso.

Working as a team is what makes the 20th Fighter Wing a force to be reckoned with. This hands-on event gave Airmen the opportunity to experience the boom that the 20th EMS munitions flight brings to the fight.