Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

2nd Munitions Squadron

The 3097th Aviation Depot Squadron was initially activated to support the 99th Bombardment Wing, which moved from Fairchild AFB, WA to Westover AFB in late 1956 and began operation of the B-52. Squadron operations at Westover ended in 1973 when the Wing was inactivated, and the Squadron was subsequently transferred to Barksdale AFB, near Bossier City, LA.

While at Barksdale AFB the 3097th Aviation Depot Squadron was one of three major nuclear support units in the Air Force, along with the 3096th and 3098th Aviation Depot Squadrons at Nellis AFB and Kirtland AFB. In the early 1990s the nuclear weapons general depot at Barksdale AFB was closed, and the 3097th Aviation Depot Squadron was inactivated [the two other main facilities at Nellis AFB and Kirtland AFB remained open].

Responsibility for the Weapons Storage Area at Barksdale was subsquenty assigned to the 2nd Munitions Squadron, which did not acquire the lineage of the 3097th Aviation Depot Squadron.

The 2nd Munitions Squadron gained additional conventional air launch cruise missiles in March 1999, resulting in an increase of 43 military authorizations. 2 MUNS maintainers escort and provide security for ACC's largest Weapons Storage Area construction project, which ensures construction of a new CALCM maintenance facility and over 120,000 square feet of munitions storage.

Air Force officials announced changes in force structures on 09 March 2000 that affect Air Combat Command bases and units. These changes result from mission changes, adjustments for efficiency, congressional directives and the continued implementation of the Expeditionary Aerospace Force concept. At Barksdale AFB, LA the 2nd Munitions Support Squadron gained 24 military positions associated with increased Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missiles requirements.

Whether it's enforcing United Nations weapons inspections in Iraq, sending a signal to North Korea, or enforcing North Atlantic Treaty Organization and United Nations peace agreements in Serbia, the 2 MUNS maintainers stand ready.

2 MUNS maintainers hit the target early in FY98 by excelling in USSTRATCOM's GLOBAL GUARDIAN, a SIOP exercise. By providing the 2d Bomb Wing with over 600 full-up weapons in under 36 hours, 2 MUNS personnel ensured generation timing far ahead of command standards leading to a final rating of "Excellent." While they live and train for SIOP, 2 MUNS personnel are ready to meet conventional commitments anywhere at anytime. Participating in two different exercises, first maintaining and deploying CALCM, then jumping into a nuclear role ensuring the first 2d Bomb Wing nuclear generation for 1998, BUSY MUDBUG 98.

2 MUNS maintainers delivered unrivaled support for the United States, United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization objectives. Despite an average of 45 people deployed and a 300 percent increase in conventional munitions maintenance supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, 2 MUNS maintainers ramped up to receive and turn 14 CALCM launchers returning from Diego Garcia. All missiles and launchers were ready for tasking in 24 hours. The 2 MUNS team was then called upon to support the CORONET RAMBLER Global Power deployment exercise at Anderson AFB, Guam. Within the following 30 days, 2 MUNS coordinated receipt and accepted 24 additional missiles making them ready within 7 days for any additional tasking.

The 2d Bomb Wing's OPSTEMPO doesn't drop because the bombers are off-station and 2 MUNS personnel step-up to each requirement, meeting day-to-day needs and every contingency. Through out 1998 2 MUNS professionals inspected, prepared, maintained and delivered more than 10,000 munitions items; and they did it safely. 2 MUNS personnel impacted the entire Air Force through the assistance they provided to DoD) contractors and Special Project Offices during deployment and modification of several weapons systems.