2025 Yearly Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Curtis Walters, 355th Maintenance Group weapons expediter, grades a weapons load crew during the 2025 Load Competition of the Year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2026. Airmen competing in the load competition were judged on their speed and accuracy while loading, a written test on loading procedure and a full service dress inspection to ensure full mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

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2025 Yearly Load Competition

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II sits on the flight line prior to the 2025 Load Competition of the Year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2026. Load competitions ensure mission readiness by testing weapons load crews on speed, accuracy and safety while adhering to technical orders and USAF instructions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

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2025 Yearly Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gavin Gonzalez, left, and Staff Sgt. Collin Harvill, both 357th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew members, compete in the 2025 Load Competition of the Year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2026. The competition highlighted the skill and professionalism of weapons load crews, proving the unit’s commitment to mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

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2025 Yearly Load Competition

A U.S. Air Force Airman is graded during the 2025 Load Competition of the Year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2026. Four weapons load crews displayed their mission readiness by competing head-to-head to load missiles and bombs onto an A-10C Thunderbolt II as quickly as possible while maintaining strict safety standards and adhering to USAF instructions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

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2025 Yearly Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Collin Harvill, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, reviews his crew’s performance during the 2025 Load Competition of the Year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2026. The event provided crews an opportunity to assess performance and reinforce safe and efficient munitions loading procedures, proving their mission readiness capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

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2025 Yearly Load Competition

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gavin Gonzalez, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, finishes the 2025 Load Competition of the Year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2026. The 357th FGS tests mission readiness through participating in load competitions where they evaluate the ability of weapons load crews to safely and efficiently load munitions while adhering to technical orders and USAF instructions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

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2025 Yearly Load Competition

Published Jan. 22, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd
355th Wing

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Curtis Walters, 355th Maintenance Group weapons expediter, grades a weapons load crew during the 2025 Load Competition of the Year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2026. Airmen competing in the load competition were judged on their speed and accuracy while loading, a written test on loading procedure and a full service dress inspection to ensure full mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)