News Search

News

Trained and loaded

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn J. Ergish
  • 355th Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and HH-60G Pave Hawk IIs remain ready to deploy and deliver combat airpower anywhere and anytime due to critical training provided by the 355th Maintenance Group Weapons Standardization Section. 

The Weapons Standardization section certifies and evaluates flight line crews’ munitions loading abilities.

“We instruct weapons loading procedures so flight line crews obtain and maintain the weapons load certification to upload and download all munitions that are possible for these airframes,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Terasas, 355th Wing lead standardization crew member.

Responsibility for all weapons loading procedures on A-10s and HH-60Gs belong to the instructors in this shop by them ensuring the proper training and certification of the 355th MXG Airmen who perform this mission.

“What it takes for us to accomplish the mission is our team of 15 to 20 personnel showing up every day ready to give 100 percent to these flight line load crews,” said Terasas. “At Weapons Standardization, we are the best load crews on base and it’s our job to pass on our knowledge and experience to the flight line crews so they can hone their skills and become the best loaders possible.”

This shop impacts not only the rescue and attack missions of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, but it also impacts the Airmen who support it.

“What keeps me motivated is the impact I have on the Airmen and weapons community as a whole,” said Senior Airman Sennelly Montalvo-Rosado, 355th MXG load crew evaluator. “If I can share the knowledge that I have to help Airmen become more proficient, I think that’s the greatest accomplishment any Airman can have.”

The 355th Wing relies on Weapons Standardization Airmen to be able to combat any circumstance that may arise by providing ready and lethal rescue and attack assets anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.