Crews loading up a win

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A competition that determines who is the best weapons load crew of the year took place here Feb. 8, when four 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 F-16 with one MK-84 bomb and one AIM-120 missile," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Fiasco, 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit load 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," Sergeant Fiasco said. "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 to display in their unit." 

This year's teams, which were the winners of the previous quarterly competitions, consisted of two teams from the 61st AMU and one team each from the 62nd and 310th AMUs. 

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

"Our load competitions are important to our weapons community," said Master Sgt. Steven Dallara, 310th AMU assistant weapons section chief. "First, it keeps the morale up and promotes the pursuit of excellence in the wing's load crews. Secondly, it's about bragging rights, and the winning crew is presented the biggest trophy at the maintenance professional banquet."