MUNS -- Bringing lethality to the B-2 mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Torey Griffith
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Airmen of the 509th Munitions Squadron Conventional Maintenance Section assemble and maintain the lethality that is loaded into the B-2 Spirit, equipping it with un-matched fire power.

"We give the enemy an opportunity to die for what they believe in," said Staff Sgt. Donald Franken, a member of the Air National Guard 131st Bomb Wing. "We put the death in the B-2."

The integrated Airmen of the 131st and 509th Bomb Wings continuously train to complete the mission and prepare for readiness inspections.

"We receive very thorough training," said Airman 1st Class Michael Reed, 509th MUNS munitions technician. "We are provided with all of the tools we need to complete our mission and do it safely. I love what I do. I have the safest job working with the deadliest weapons."

Total Force Integration, a program that melds active duty Air Force with Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members to improve operating efficiency, is prevalent all over Whiteman, and especially at the munitions maintenance building.

"In this shop in particular, it works well," Sergeant Franken said. "We are blended in with all the crews, and we can draw from the wealth of knowledge that comes with Airmen from a variety of different bases and experiences."

That kind of synergy allows the shop to perform well at Whiteman's high operations tempo.

"Our job is to assemble the components," said Tech. Sgt. Jacob Taylor, assistant NCO in charge. "We build and maintain the conventional bombs, as well as precision-guided missiles, and deliver them to the loaders."

Soon, they will be building and delivering a new, cutting-edge bomb that is exclusive to the B-2 and B-52 bombers: the Massive Ordinance Penetrator.

The MOP is a 30,000-pound conventional penetrating weapon that will defeat a specialized set of hard and deeply buried targets, designed specifically to attack hardened concrete bunkers and tunnel facilities.

"There's nothing in the world like it," said Master Sgt. Michael Dilley, another TFI Airman from the 131st, and NCO in charge. "This new weapon will greatly hinder the ability to hide under ground, bringing a whole new level to the bomber game."
The MOP reinforces the B-2's status as one of the most deadly weapons platforms available to the Air Force.

Making it all happen are the Airmen of the 509th MUNS Conventional Maintenance Section.

"We may not be on the frontlines, but when the ground forces are in need, and they call for air power - we provide them with the firepower they need," said Airman 1st Class Garrett Bosanko, 509th MUNS munitions technician. "It's a great feeling knowing there is something on the other side of the globe that I'm affecting."