Competition tests load crews

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Two teams of weapons loaders from the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron competed during the annual load crew competition here, Dec. 17.

It was a race against time as they went over their checklists to ensure that they had not only completed their task quickly, but had done so correctly.

The competition takes the top two crews from the unit and evaluates each one on several different areas. The crews are judged on loading and documenting of munitions, uniform inspections, and a written exam.

"We evaluate them on their tool boxes and equipment, inspect their uniforms according to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, multiple choice test and load weapons based on their qualifications as well as our preference," said Staff Sgt. Bradley Perkins, 354th Maintenance Group load standardization crew member, who evaluated the competitors. "It's a heritage thing in our career field. Everywhere you go they have one of these - usually quarterly."

18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loaders, like Senior Airman Cornelius Browdy, are not only responsible for loading chaff flares and missiles but also performing routine armament maintenance on F-16 Fighting Falcons.

"I'm really competitive and I liked participating in the competition," said Airman Browdy. "You have to get in the right mindset - this is what we really do in combat situations."

These Airmen work all year to be proficient and prepared for deployments -- their capability has a direct impact in Air Force operations around the globe. Yet this ability comes with a great deal of scrutiny, since the Airmen providing it work with things that explode.

Weapons loaders work in crews of three Airmen to provide backup, safety and assistance. Each Airman, commonly known as the number one man, number two man and number three man, is trained to fill a specific role; each with unique responsibilities that only they will perform.

"I feel like we did pretty well," said a confident Airman Browdy.

The outcome of the competition will be announced at the quarterly awards banquet.