354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Austin Adkins, 356th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew chief, checks for discrepancies on a dummy CATM-120B missile during the 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. Load competitions serve as a valuable tool that reinforce technical proficiency, while also boosting morale and giving Airmen the opportunity to showcase their skills in a time-constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)

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354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

Airmen from the 356th Fighter Generation Squadron load a dummy CATM-120B missile onto an MJ-1C load truck during a 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. During the load comp, teams were scored based on their ability to perform under stress and quickly load weapons onto aircraft while adhering to safety standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)

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354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jasmaine Stephens, 356th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, prepares the missile rail of an F-35A Lightning II during the 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. Load competitions serve as a valuable tool that reinforce technical proficiency, while also boosting morale and giving Airmen the opportunity to showcase their skills in a time-constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)

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354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Fowler, 18th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew chief, secures a dummy CATM-120B missile onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. During the competition, Airmen are assessed on their ability to load munitions onto their respective aircraft quickly and accurately, which is essential for growing technical skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)

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354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Peyton Morris, 18th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, center, uses an MJ-1B lift truck to raise a dummy CATM-120B missile onto a F-16 Fighting Falcon during a 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. Airmen from the 354th Maintenance Group participated, demonstrating their knowledge in performing general maintenance to F-16’s and F-35A Lightning II’s in a timely and accurate manner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)

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354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Peyton Morris, 18th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, left, and Staff Sgt. Cody Fowler, 18th FGS weapons load crew chief, secure a dummy CATM-120B missile onto an MJ-1B load truck during the 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. During the load comp, teams were scored based on their ability to perform under stress and quickly load weapons onto aircraft while adhering to safety standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)

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354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Aiden Boget, 18th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, checks a missile rail for discrepancies on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. Airmen from the 18th FGS, 356th Fighter Generation Squadron and 355th Fighter Generation Squadron participated, performing time-sensitive tasks to ensure mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)

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354th MXG holds 2025 4th Quarter Load Competition

Published Jan. 15, 2026
By Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, AK -- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Austin Adkins, 356th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew chief, checks for discrepancies on a dummy CATM-120B missile during the 4th Quarter Load Competition at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Jan. 9, 2026. Load competitions serve as a valuable tool that reinforce technical proficiency, while also boosting morale and giving Airmen the opportunity to showcase their skills in a time-constrained environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski)