An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
Leadership
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
About USINDOPACOM
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
2024 Banner Photos
Media
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Useful Links
Newcomers
Resources
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
Contact
JTF - RED HILL
JTF-MICRONESIA
Search
Home
Media
NEWS
News Article View
Home
Media
NEWS
News Article View
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
2024 Banner Photos
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Useful Links
Newcomers
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
JTF - RED HILL
JTF-MICRONESIA
Combat Ammunition Production Exercise Tests Wolf Packs Combat Readiness
06 June 2017
From Tech. Sgt. Jeff Andrejcik
Download
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The art of war is a dynamic entity influenced by Airmen who hone their craft and apply it to the battlefield.
Within the ammo community, the Combat Ammunition Production Exercise (CAPEX) is a canvas they use to enhance their ability to build and produce munitions in support of combat sorties.
From June 5-9, munitions teams from across U.S. Pacific Air Forces and two Air National Guard units will execute live munitions building processes and procedures to optimize results in real-world situations.
“CAPEX tests our ability to produce munitions and also ensure we have the ability to support the combatant commander down range,” said Master Sgt. Daniel Ficken, CAPEX production section supervisor.
From the time flight schedules and air tasking orders drop, Airmen race the clock to produce combat loads before aircraft are ready to take off.
Evaluators from several bases in PACAF and two Air National Guard units were on hand to inspect each phase of the exercise. Those phases included force integration, maintaining air tasking order requirements and ensuring receipt as well as break down of munitions.
“There’s a feeling of exhilaration coming into this knowing that I’m here to build bombs and get the job done,” said Staff Sgt. Kelvin Lafferty, CAPEX conventional maintenance crew member. “I love feeling like I am a part of something bigger and knowing that what I do every day contributes to the safety of America and our allies.”
This exercise revolves around generating fire power. The approximately 350 Airmen participating in CAPEX are responsible for bringing that essential component to the wings combat arsenal.
Without it, F-16 Fighting Falcons here would be unable to project the force they are capable of.
“We are important to the mission because without munitions all we would have is just planes flying around,” said Lafferty. “It’s simple, without ammo you could not take down the enemy.”
According to Lafferty, the training translates into efficient execution, producing a positive readiness posture and ensuring the Wolf Pack can perform its mission against any volatile threat.
Over the last 30 days Kunsan hosted a PACAF-wide annual weapons load competition and now CAPEX. Two major weapons events showing the wings capability to produce munitions at a rapid pace.
As the largest ammo exercise on the peninsula, CAPEX coupled with the weapons load competition bolsters readiness, delivering versed Airmen who are prepared to respond when called upon.
“When we have Airmen with little to no experience, and then expose them to different types of bomb building, it increases our total force readiness quite a bit,” said Ficken. “Bringing together Guard, Reserve and Active Duty is valuable because we are exposed to each other’s philosophies, which brings a whole different outlook to the mission.”
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon