One team, one fight: a new dawn for 509th MUNS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Commanders of the 509th and 709th Munitions Squadrons met to tear down the wall in the leadership section of their command building March 19, 2015.

The demolition of the wall signified the merger of the two units. The new combined squadron will be renamed to the 509th MUNS. Renovations of the new office are scheduled to be accomplished by June 22.

"Right now supervision in both command sections are sitting down the hall from each other," said Maj. Scott Drossner, 509th MUNS commander.

Supervision from both units will sit in the new office upon construction completion, including three chief master sergeants, an operations officer and a civilian technical advisor.

"We are tearing this wall down to symbolize tearing the communication barrier down between us and to unify us as one team," Drossner said. 

While the 509th MUNS is responsible for building and delivering conventional munitions and maintaining associated aircraft equipment, the 709th MUNS has a strategic role.

"When you hear the word 'strategic deterrence' in the wing's mission statement, that's what they do in the 709th," Drossner said.

Maj. Joe Pulliam, 709th Munitions Squadron commander, predicted the merger would enhance overall mission effectiveness between factions of the unit, whether working with strategic or conventional munitions.

"Any time you have multiple layers of command and control, things might get missed or misinterpreted," Pulliam said. "Communication is the most important aspect of the merger, from the squadron commander to the youngest airman."

Each munitions commander utilized different tactics to accomplish the mission before the merger.

"Right now we have a good program," Pulliam said. "Taking the best things from both and merging them into one will make it an outstanding program."

More than 70 programs are being consolidated, with inputs from members of both squadrons.

Dozens of programs were duplicating effort, which was very inefficient and a waste of time before the merger initiated.

"For example, if a program requires a primary and an alternate from each squadron to run, when you merge those, instead of having four bodies to perform the task you only need two," Pulliam said. "So, efficiencies are gained."

Program consolidation will take a large number of individuals away from additional duties, allowing more time to focus on their primary duties. This, in turn, saves man hours.

"I am excited about the merger," Drossner said. "I think we'll gain so many efficiencies that we don't even realize yet and perform magnificently."

Policies and procedures created after the merger could also eliminate frustration, which would improve morale.

"When it comes to morale-building activities, like intramural sports, you've got a much larger pool of people to choose from," Pulliam said. "Get-togethers outside of work are the building blocks for morale."

One sign of a strong squadron is what Airmen do off duty together.

"Maintenance folks in general like to have fun," Pulliam said. "I think the new squadron is going to be the power house for intramural sports. No other squadron is going to beat them in anything."

Spouses and family members will also be positively impacted by the merger by having a larger number of members to support each other.

"The goal is to have everything ready to go by June 22 to push that button under one commander," Pulliam said.