In position . . .
Staff Sgt. Bryan Bradbury and Senior Airman Jesse Potter, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems technicians, upload a guided bomb unit to an F-16 Fighting Falcon, Jan. 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The quarterly load crew competition helps promote teamwork and morale.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster
Crew member preps an F-16 Fighting Falcon . . .
Airman 1st Class Ryan Duarte, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon to be uploaded with weapons, during a quarterly load crew competition, Jan. 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Airmen that compete are chosen by their section chiefs based on job performance.
U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jason Couillard
Prepping to upload a guided bomb . . .
Aircraft armament systems Airmen from the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare to upload a guided bomb unit to an F-22 Raptor during a quarterly load crew competition, Jan. 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The quarterly weapons load crew competition tests the skills of Airmen from Viper, Thunder, Raptor, Falcon, Eagle, Tomahawk and Strike Aircraft Maintenance Units.
U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jason Couillard
Tweaking the load . . .
Senior Airman Armin Eusebio, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems technician, prepares to upload a guided bomb unit on an F-15 Eagle during the quarterly load crew competition, Jan. 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Weapons load competitions are conducted quarterly to keep Airmen sharp and recognize superior performers.
U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jason Couillard
Checking the technical order . . .
Staff Sgt. Daniel West, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems technician, looks through an electronic technical order log during a quarterly load crew competition, Jan. 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Load crew competitions take place four times a year as well as a fifth competition, which is for the title of load crew of the year.
Loading an AIM-9 Sidewinder . . .
Airman 1st Class Ben Wilsey, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, prepares to load an AIM-9 Sidewinder to an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a quarterly load crew competition, Jan. 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Weapons load teams are evaluated for use of the checklist, safety, and overall speed.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster
Tending to the tools of the trade . . .
Airman 1st Class Francis Calhoun, 757th Aircraft Maintenance weapons load crew member, puts away tools during a quarterly load crew competition, Jan. 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Every team’s tool kit is inspected once they are done loading munitions.
