Load crew

Staff Sgt. Demencio Solorzano, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, guides a teammate to load a bomb during the weapons load crew competition Jan. 25 here. Three load crew teams competed in the yearly competition. Winners will be announced at the 2008 Maintenance Professional of the Year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melissa T. Copeland)

Load crew

Senior Airman Christopher Redmond, 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons loader, carefully prepares to secure an MK-82 on to an A-10 during the load crew portion of Davis-Monthan's Annual Load Crew Competition Jan. 25. The load team was graded on their ability to quickly and efficiently load six MK-82s and one AIM-9. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesse Shipps)

Load crew

Airman 1st Class Devin Macneil, Staff Sgt. Anthony Walker, and Senior Airman Robert Morales, all weapons load crew chiefs from the 358th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, work together to load an MK-82 to an A-10 during the Load Crew of the Year competition Jan. 25. The 358th AMU competed against two other load crew teams on efficiently loading six MK-82s and one AIM-9, and they were also evaluated in three different categories; a written test, dress and appearance, and their composite tool kit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christina D. Kinsey)

Annual load crew competition held at D-M

Published Jan. 29, 2008
By Senior Airman Alesia D. Goosic
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- A competition that dates back since the first A-10s arrived at D-M took place here Jan. 25 when three teams participated in the base's annual load crew competition.

Each team, consisting of three members, is evaluated on different categories to include inspections on their uniforms, tool kits and their overall knowledge of weapons loading.

"The competitors are evaluated on four aspects during the competition: Dress and appearance, a written test, an inspection on their composite tool kits and are evaluated loading an A-10 with six MK-82s and one AIM-9," said Tech. Sgt. Mikel Petersen, 355th Maintenance Group loading standardization crew member.

The competition isn't just a timed event, each category is given a point scale and the winners get more than just bragging rights.

"How well they do in each category determines how many points they receive," said Sergeant Petersen. "The crew with the most points at the end of the competition wins. The winners are each awarded a plaque at the Maintenance Professional of the Year ceremony in mid March. They are also given a traveling trophy that they can display in their unit."

This year's teams, which were the winners of the previous quarterly competitions, consisted of two teams from the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and one team from the 358th AMXS.

The annual load crew competition is not only a time for recognition but also a very important training opportunity for the load crew members.

"Our load competitions are important to our weapons community," said Lt. Col. Lee Bridges, 355th AMXS commander. "First, it promotes the pursuit of excellence while showcasing our weapons loaders to the entire group. Secondly, we are able to practice a vital combat skill."