Grand Forks Air Force Base holds first inert bomb-building exercise in 30 years

Staff Sgt. Harris Tuttle, 28th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance crew from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, attaches the wing guidance system to a Guided Bomb Unit 48 during an inert bomb building exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 2, 2025. GBU-48s are designed to directly strike and penetrate targets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Grand Forks Air Force Base holds first inert bomb-building exercise in 30 years

Airmen from the 28th Munitions Squadron from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, assemble inert bombs during an inert bomb building exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 2, 2025. After fully completing each bomb, the exercise included transportation and storage procedures and were handled as if the munitions were live. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Grand Forks Air Force Base holds first inert bomb-building exercise in 30 years

Senior Airman Michael Boelens, 28th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance crew chief from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, screws on the nose of a Guided Bomb Unit 48 during an inert bomb building exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 2, 2025. The munitions built were Guided Bomb Unit 48s and are designed to directly strike and penetrate targets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Grand Forks Air Force Base holds first inert bomb-building exercise in 30 years

Airman 1st Class Charles Eddy, 28th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance technician from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, reads the guidance system of a Guided Bomb Unit 48 during an inert bomb building exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 2, 2025. Six Guided Bomb Unit 48 training munitions were built over the course of the six-hour exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Grand Forks Air Force Base holds first inert bomb-building exercise in 30 years

Airmen with the 28th Munitions Squadron from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, assemble inert bombs during a bomb building exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 2, 2025. The munitions built were Guided Bomb Unit 48’s, precision-guided bomb units that utilize both GPS and laser guidance to strike targets accurately. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Grand Forks Air Force Base holds first inert bomb-building exercise in 30 years

Senior Airman Caleb Weber, 28th Munitions Squadron armament maintenance technician from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, inspects an inert bomb shell during an inert bomb building exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 2, 2025. Six Guided Bomb Unit 48 training munitions were built over the course of the six-hour exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Grand Forks Air Force Base holds first inert bomb-building exercise in 30 years

Published Aug. 1, 2025
By Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer
319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

For the first time in 30 years Airmen engaged in hands-on munitions training by conducting an inert bomb-building exercise at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., April 2, 2025.

Seventeen B-1B Lancers assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, are temporarily relocated to Grand Forks AFB to support Ellsworth Air Force Base’s runway reconstruction project in preparation for the B-21 Raider. This munitions build provided proficiency training for ammunition airmen and validated their skills in munitions handling, assembly and safety procedures.

The exercise involved the assembling of inert bombs, which are units that contain no explosive material but mimic the physical components and handling procedures of live ordnance. Inert munitions allow participants to practice their technical abilities in a safe, controlled environment.

Airmen from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing had the opportunity to work alongside 28th BW airmen and gain experience in tasks not associated with the base’s mission of supporting the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 high altitude, long endurance Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform.

“We have to do this several times a year and each time I do, it feels like I learn something new,” said Airman 1st Class Charles Eddy, conventional maintenance technician for the 28th Munitions Squadron. “Now that I’m here working with Grand Forks Airmen, it feels like that’s especially true. These exercises are what keep us prepared to fight the good fight and ready for anything that could occur at any time.”

Six inert bombs were assembled over the course of six hours. Airmen assembled, wired and transported the munitions as if they were live. The bomb type built during this exercise was the Guided Bomb Unit 48, a precision-guided bomb unit that utilizes both GPS and laser guidance to strike targets accurately.

“We load bombs on the conventional rotary launchers, which are capable of holding up to eight munitions pieces and store them safely until they’re needed,” said Senior Airman Caleb Weber, armament maintenance technician with the 28th MXS. “Our job of maintaining these stored munitions and providing them quickly and efficiently, getting them ready to go when the time comes is just as important as actually building them.”

The airmen of the 28th BW and 319th RW continue to ensure mission readiness for the B-1 Lancer mission and maximize training and orientation opportunities to build cross-functional competence.