Munition mission receives recognition Published Dec. 27, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Dawn M. Weber 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- They work with the world's most advanced munitions on a daily basis, along with the fighter jets that use them. Airmen from the 48th Munitions Squadron, known as Ammo, are responsible for identifying, inspecting, maintaining, testing, and assembling guided and unguided, non-nuclear munitions. "Ammo consists of a very diverse group of shops, such as the munitions trailer maintenance shop and an entire shop that processes paperwork," said Chief Master Sgt. David Fenimore, 48th MUNS superintendent. Ammo not only supports the mission of the 48th Fighter Wing, but also the missions at Royal Air Forces Mildenhall and Feltwell. "The 48th MUNS supports all the fighter squadrons, security forces, explosive ordnance disposal and anyone who needs munitions to get the mission done," said Airman 1st Class Robert Mealin, 48th MUNS conventional maintenance crew member. The 48th MUNS keeps accountability for any type of missile, explosive or munition. "Because munitions have such high security requirements, we keep accountability for all explosives and munitions used on these bases," said Fenimore. "Security forces need their ammunition, EOD needs explosives and RAF Feltwell has the K-9 unit. We keep inventory for their explosive sniff kits." Working in the munitions squadron, a sense of pride is instilled in the Airmen. "We're really proud over at Ammo, because without munitions, the Air Force is just a transport airline," said Mealin. After completing two months of technical training, Airmen begin on-the-job training. "As a new Airman at my first duty station, my job is to learn this career field and become the best contributing asset to the Air Force I can be," said Mealin. Continuous,on-the-job training and annual training requirements have helped the munitions squadron earn recognition, including the 2010 Air Force's Best Maintenance Effectiveness Award for missile and munitions maintenance. "We have an annual training requirement -- Combat Munitions Training Program. It's a 40-hour, self-taught, hands-on course on every munition that these aircraft use," said Fenimore. In October, the 48th MUNS won the RAF Lakenheath Load Crew of the Quarter competition, beating the 492nd, 493rd and 494th Aircraft Maintenance Units. "Winning load crew of the quarter was important because the Airmen who were loading, work in the armament shop," said Fenimore. "They complete a training course every six months to load the aircraft, but they don't get to load bombs or guns on a daily basis." "Everything that these aircraft use in a wartime environment, the 48th MUNS is trained on," he concluded.