Load crew competition showcases Eielson's best

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter Reft
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Weapons load crew members from the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron participated in an annual load crew competition here Dec. 13, 2013.

The event challenged two three-person crews to equip F-16 Fighting Falcons with a full complement of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles in a timed combat loading scenario. Additionally, the teams completed uniform inspections and written tests.

Senior weapons management members scored each category to determine the winner of Eielson's Load Crew of the Year Award.

Airmen were selected to compete for Load Crew of the Year based on outstanding performance and safety records. Competitors included Staff Sgt. Joe Craddock, Airman 1st Class Uziel Huerta and Senior Airman Joseph Levin for Crew 2, and Staff Sgt. Bret Dallinger, Senior Airman Alexa Donithan and Senior Airman Ralphy Rosado for Crew 4.

There are eight certified load crews on Eielson. They are regularly examined by supervisors to ensure mission capability and adherence to safety and technical standards.

"Weapons load crews get evaluated monthly on their job performance to make sure they know how to do it safely and reliably in accordance with technical data and Air Force instruction," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Rud, 354th AMXS weapons manager. "It's a way for us to make sure everybody is not just meeting the minimum standards, but also trying to exceed them and do their best."

The competition is held each year, not only for performance recognition, but also to improve camaraderie and unit cohesion.

"It's a great morale booster for the personnel, and it gives them a chance to see who the best of the best is and earn bragging rights for the rest of the year," said Rud.

Camaraderie is strong in each of the crews due to the teamwork required to efficiently accomplish their mission.

"Your crew does everything together," said Staff Sgt. Brett Dallinger, 354th AMXS weapons load crew member. "You get a tight bond with the people you work with. You're around them every day."

Tasked with responsibility of loading munitions onto combat aircraft, load crews train for a work environment with zero tolerance for errors.

"(Loading munitions) is an orchestrated event and every member plays a part to get the plane combat loaded," said Col. John Cartwright, 354th Maintenance Group commander. "If something goes wrong, it could be the difference between life and death for soldiers on the ground."

The winners of the Load Crew of the Year Award will be announced at the 354th Fighter Wing annual awards banquet scheduled for Feb. 1.