JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON -- The 3rd Munitions Squadron hosted a bomb build for distinguished visitors June 19, showcasing what goes into building a Joint Direct Attack Munition Guided Bomb Unit 32, and the efficiency of the maintenance technicians.

At JBER, the JDAM GBU 32 is used to train not only technicians, but also pilots flying the F-22 Raptor.

“The [JDAM GBU 32] mission is very important because it provides training for our 230 personnel that have to be trained and certified,” said Chief Master Sgt. Eric Barlet, munitions superintendent, 3rd Munitions Squadron. “It trains us to be bomb builders, so we can deliver to the flightline on time with reliable munitions as required based off the flying mission and pilot qualification training.”

During the build, Air Force Col. Frank Flores, commander of the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, along with company-grade officers, learned firsthand what it takes to assemble a bomb from the ground up with the assistance of the 3rd MUNS maintenance technicians.

“We’re here to show them what we do and how we do it and to show how efficient we are at our job,” said Air force Staff Sgt. Michael Ramirez, a munitions crew chief with the 3rd MUNS. “We make sure everything is functioning properly as intended.”

Success is measured differently for every career field; for these technicians, it’s not just about putting a bomb together.

“When it comes to success, I measure by hearing from friendlies down range,” Ramirez said. “Hearing how the close air support actually affects them and gets them out of hostile fire really motivates me. Every time I put a bomb up and it doesn’t come back I know it was dropped for a specific mission, saving lives, taking lives if required, and everything’s a success.”

“We measure success by being compliant, lethal, and ready,” Barlet added.