39th MXS, Spang FS forces unite Published Feb. 6, 2007 By 1st Lt. Angel Guerrero 39th MXS munitions flight commander INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The two F-16 Fighter Squadrons from Spangdahlem, Germany, represent the first Rotational Squadron Deployments since Operation Northern Watch in the early 1990s. The cooperation between Incirlik and Spangdahlem has improved the development of the 39th Maintenance Squadron ammunition personnel through high-fidelity training opportunities. "Up until this deployment, the hands-on, on-the-job training experience for younger Airmen was basically non-existent," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Smith, 39th MXS munitions flight chief. The munitions flight here has not built general purpose bombs, or delivered them to the flight line in support of aircraft, since April 2003, although necessary non aircraft-related tasks and training have been performed. "Before the Spangdahlem crew arrived, the Airmen assigned to the munitions flight got their training through Career Development Courses," said Sergeant Smith. "That all changed in January when we picked up a new support mission for the Vipers." Airmen of the 39th MXS munitions flight have participated in almost every facet of munitions support for Spangdahlem. "They've built BDU-50s and 33s and processed 20 millimeter ammunition in order to become familiar with the Universal Ammunition Loading System," said Tech. Sgt. Victoria Light, 39th MXS munitions assistance element noncommissioned officer in charge. "Learning the importance of static grounding during munitions operations ... came in handy while building other items like chaff and flares." 39th MXS Airmen are now proficient in areas that they weren't only months ago before the RSD arrival. From bomb-building safety, trailer configuration and loading, explosive squibbing operations, flight line driving, munitions reconciliation, towing loaded munitions trailers and coordinating with munitions control; Incirlik Airmen have gained much needed experience. "The ability to provide on-the-job training prepares and gives our Airmen a better understanding of what ammunition specialists do as part of the 39th Air Base Wing, the U.S. Air Force, NATO and USEUCOM," said Tech. Sgt. Alexander Thomas, 39th MXS munitions control NCOIC. As a result of the training received from working side-by-side with their Spang counterparts, Incirlik Airmen are better prepared for their next assignment. "Most likely, our AMMO specialists will be involved in a munitions environment on a much larger scale in the future and will play a vital role in Ensuring Freedom's Future world wide," said Maj. Kenneth Speidel, 39th MXS commander.