RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --
What is the world’s greatest Air Force without its overwhelming firepower?
Thanks to the 86th Munitions Squadron, the United States Air Force is not just all bark and no bite.
“86 MUNS is the primary airlift hub for munitions to everyone in the United States European Command,” said Tech. Sgt. Rayvone Williams, 86 MUNS munitions control section chief.
The 86 MUNS is responsible for maintaining, storing and providing rapid shipment of combat munitions support across the European theater, in order to deter and eliminate threats to the U.S., partner nations and allies.
“Our job here is not necessarily to build the munitions like you’d see at a fighter base,” said Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Comerford, 86 MUNS superintendent. “Our job is to get them where they are needed.”
Ramstein stores, maintains and resupplies munitions for bases across Europe since not every base has the capability to store munitions.
“We have a variety of fourth and fifth generation air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, as well as a full complement of ground-base-defense munitions,” said Master Sgt. David Hardy, 86 MUNS systems flight chief.
The stockpile management section of 86 MUNS ensures proper storage of all munitions, while the inspection section performs a periodic inspection to make sure munitions are good to go for whenever they need to be employed.
Williams says that each section relies on the other for mission success.
As the global gateway – and the only munitions airlift hub in U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa – Ramstein Air Base is able to provide rapid and agile combat munitions support through the hard work of the men and women of the 86 MUNS.