Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

898th Munitions Squadron

The 898th Munitions Squadron is a selectively manned unit supporting OSD, Joint Staff, the Services, and Nuclear CINC's. The Squadron operates the Air Forces's only underground depot-level weapons maintenance and storage facility. It stores, maintains, modifies and ships weapons and components to combat or storage organizations within the Air Force, sister services, and DOE. Operations support presidential drawdown and dismantlement programs.

The Manzano Mountains Munitions Storage Complex, operational since 1950, was managed by the 3098th Aviation Depot Squadron. The 898th Munitions Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico was initially designated the 3098th Aviation Depot Squadron, and activated, on 01 July 1971. It was redesignated 898th Aviation Depot Squadron on 01 October 1992, and redesignated again as the 898th Munitions Squadron on 01 April 1994. During the 1950s personnel and facilities for assembling and servicing special weapons warheads were furnished by an Aviation Depot Squadron.