Air Force print news (Nov. 16, 2004): new light-weight weapon joins Balad arsenal.

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- In an effort to keep pace with the ever-changing face of close-quarters combat, F-16 Fighting Falcon crews here plan to use a new, lightweight satellite-guided munition soon.

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The GBU-38 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition is designed to reduce collateral damage, limit unintended casualties, and take the fight up close and personal to enemy insurgents and anti-Iraqi forces alike.

Although they will not be the first in theater to drop the newest JDAM in the U.S. arsenal, munitions specialists, maintainers, and aircrews dedicated to keeping the bite of the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron "Black Widows" lethal are saying, "Let's Roll."

As specialists and maintainers fine tune the basics to certify the GBU-38 on F-16s based here from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, elsewhere in the area the new JDAM has already proved to be a thorn in the side of those who choose to impede the Iraqi reconstruction effort.

Two F-16s from an undisclosed location completed the first successful combat drop of GBU-38s on Oct. 4, 2004, during a precision strike on a confirmed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi terrorist meeting. The two released JDAMs precisely struck the terrorist hideout causing only minimal collateral damage.

"We're ready to go and just waiting on the final steps in the approval process," said Senior Master Sgt. Douglas Baker, 332nd Expeditionary Equipment Maintenance Squadron munitions flight chief. "After receipt of our JDAM tail fin kits in late October, my munitions crew produced sufficient quantities of the new JDAM to support our mission requirements in only 24 hours."

Additionally, Baker said the new weapon greatly enhances the capabilities of the Black Widows by giving them an additional choice of weapon that performs well in a confined, inner-city environment.

Normally with new equipment and cutting-edge technology, one can expect a certain degree of difficulty or steep learning curve to be associated with the product; however, during the initial build, munitions crewmembers found the newest version the easiest to assemble of all the JDAM line-up.

"We prefer building this JDAM over the others simply because it is much easier to work with the smaller weapon compared to the 2,000-pound JDAM we routinely call the monster," Baker said.

"The focus and level of teamwork we used in building the initial complement of GBU-38s was high. There is a profound likelihood these weapons will be expended on each mission here, so it was imperative for us to learn and follow the new procedures to the letter," said Tech. Sgt. Patrick Van Vranken, 332nd EMXS munitions flight production supervisor. "After all, it is all about bombs on target in this environment," he said. Van Vranken oversaw the initial assembly of the new JDAMs here.

"Anytime you experience a new weapons system, it is interesting and challenging all at the same time," Van Vranken said. "We have to do it right each and every time. Our Army, Navy, and Marine counterparts expect no less and need this support on the ground; they need this firepower."

Master Sgt. David Reagan, USAF

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs