MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 35th Maintenance Squadron (MXS)armament flight maintains launching and releasing devices while ensuring explosive equipment is correctly delivered onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon, ultimately providing direct support to the “Wild Weasel” mission.

In addition to performing primary duties, armament Airmen were challenged with adverse weather, stressful situations and a higher-operations tempo, while operating in mission-oriented protective posture gear during Beverly Sunrise 17-07, Sept. 15 to 21.

“Weapons are very crucial to the mission,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dion Smith, a 35th MXS armament maintenance supervisor. “In our shop, we maintain all the launchers, gun systems and everything that stores and drops ammunitions.”

For the exercise, the armament shop dedicated two armed crews to loading affording Airmen, who normally conduct office work, an opportunity to revisit and perform quick, deployment-style weapons generations on F-16s.

“Armed crews are certified weapons loaders,” said Smith. “There’s a distinction between certified and uncertified. While both personnel can fix and tear items apart, one is more knowledgeable. The certified personnel can witness and administer uncertified personnel to make sure the parts on the aircraft are good to go.”

Additionally, weapons experts utilized quick response teams, who performed a variety of tasks such as fixing stuck missiles and rail problems, all at a moment’s notice, ensuring seamless mission execution.

“Continuing to maintain and put out serviceable equipment for the flight line is just one of our many roles,” said Airman 1st Class Alain Authier, a 35th MXS armament technician. “We generate jets and our response team comes out to support when necessary. We’re right there to help them out.”

The 35th Fighter Wing executes suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD), which targets enemy radar sites, allowing follow-on forces to safely fly through enemy territory without being detected.

Today, the SEAD mission is primarily carried out by F-16CM Block 50 Fighting Falcons, typically equipped with a state of the art HARM Targeting System pod, two High speed Anti-Radiation Missiles and a self-protection jammer. The jets are able to support numerous weapons variations; this configuration is the basic starting point for most SEAD missions.

Overall, BS 17-07 is an operational readiness exercise that tests Misawa Airmen on response and procedures for deployment and combat contingency operations. Especially within the 35th Maintenance Group, this requires each section to intertwine and work together to accomplish the same goal.

“We’re a part of a large family,” said Smith. “We work with everybody –whether it’s sheet metal, metal technology, assisting crew chiefs or avionics with troubleshooting. We’re just one small piece to the puzzle.”

Armament Airmen generated 18 F-16s throughout the duration of the exercise, ensuring mission success across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.