Navy munitions plays part in ORE

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jordyn Rucker
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Navy Munitions Command East Asia Division Unit Misawa conducted a weapons training exercise in support of Beverly Sunrise 15-2, an Air Force operational readiness exercise that took place here March 4.

NMC Misawa assembled and configured 30 underwater mines during the exercise to ensure U.S. Forces are prepared for real-world situations requiring all types of munitions support.

"We train to ensure we have quality weapons that will function as intended when pilots deliver them into the sea to protect Japan's coastal waters," said Chief Petty Officer Miguel Torres, NMC Misawa quality insurance officer. "By integrating with the Air Force during exercises, it lets us see the full picture helps us best react so we can meet the mission's requirements."

As an ordnance facility, NMC Misawa works with Misawa's explosive ordnance disposal unit, fire department, security forces and medical group at least once a quarter to combine test exercises into one. They conduct base-wide security drills, hostage and active shooter situations, medical and safety training, and other training scenarios. It's a true team effort.

"We've done a lot of exercises to incorporate them into our systems and [the Air Force] incorporates us into theirs," Torres said. "It's very important for us to integrate with the Air Force and operate as one joint task force so we can provide weapons or integrate our systems into theirs; it provides us enhanced mobility in this area of operation."

Torres said this type of joint training involving underwater mines happens a few times a year, and the process goes all the way from putting the fins and tails on, to installing arming devices and eventually loading them onto Navy P-3 Orion aircraft.

According to Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Wasylenko, NMC Misawa Mineman, the amount of time it takes to build one mine can span from one minute to eight minutes. He said they average about five minutes for each mine.

The weapons built during this exercise are called Mark 62 and Mark 63 quick-strike shallow-water mines that reach anywhere from 300 to 400 feet underwater. Torres explained that after they're deployed into water, they wait for the set period of time needed to hit the correct target. When the target is found, a void is created in the ocean. The void assists in the weapons' functionality by creating a pressure called the "pulsing bubble effect" that will latch onto a target and crush it.

Since NMC Misawa works with different weapons than the Air Force, integrated training is conducted to educate both sides on how to work with their systems.

"When working with the Air Force, the biggest challenge is usually procedure because we have different requirements and checkpoints to meet," Torres said. "But by being able to give each other advice and seek assistance in some matters gives you an extra level of comfort. If it ever came down to it we'd confidently be able to complete our mission together."