Thirteen members of the North Texas Home Builders Association spent Thursday, June 23, touring the 363d Training Squadron operations at Sheppard Air Force Base.
The group was met at the Missile Road entrance and taken to the ordinance range by Senior Airman Ryan Barta.
They learned about ordinance detonation from Master Sgt. Jason Putman, Tech Sgt. Adam Wade, and Staff Sgt. Eric Ybarra. They then observed (and felt) a 100-foot long detonation cord explode, as well as explosions of TNT and C4.
Following the ordinance demonstrations, the group toured the 363d Training Squadron with Col. Anthony Puente and Capt. Pedro DeLeon. They learned about the role the squadron has in training airmen and airwomen concerning ordinance, bombs and nuclear weapons. Leading the training were Sgt. Desmond Ojeda and Sgt. Chandler Vasquez.
Students learn how to build weapons, store weapons, and load weapons on different aircraft. The group also learned about the different weapon systems found on F-16, F-15, A-10, B-1, B-52 and other Air Force aircraft.
Association members participating in the tour included Doug McCulloch, Chuck Vergauwen, Stan Mountain, Charles Barr, Chase Radillo, Mason Adams, Steve Hinson, Alan Hinson, Sharon Tucker, Harold Newton, Scott Hollars, Teri Gibson, and Lee Grace.