445th AMU claims quarterly weapons load competition title

Weapons load crew members with the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Unit load an F-16 Falcon during the Fourth Quarter Fighter Weapons Load Competition Jan. 6, 2014. Weapons load crew members from the 445th, 411th and 461st AMU competed in the friendly competition to showcase each crew member’s talent. Of the three units, the 445th AMU claimed the fourth quarter trophy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

445th AMU claims quarterly weapons load competition title

Staff Sgt. Toby Hernandez ensures the MJ-1B munitions loader driver secures a GBU-32 before loading it to an F-22 Raptor during the Fourth Quarter Fighter Weapons Load Competition Jan. 6, 2014 behind Hangar 1600. Sergeant Hernandez is the 411th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons team chief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

445th AMU claims quarterly weapons load competition title

Airman 1st Class Briano Molinaro drives his MJ-1B munitions loader past inspectors in order to pick up his team’s next munition during the Fourth Quarter Fighter Weapons Load Competition Jan. 6, 2014, behind Hangar 1600. Airman Molinaro is a 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member who represented the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Unit during the competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

445th AMU claims quarterly weapons load competition title

Weapons load crew members with the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Unit work to load an F-16 Falcon against the Edwards flightline backdrop during the Fourth Quarter Fighter Weapons Load Competition Jan. 6, 2014. Weapons load crew members from the 445th, 411th FLTS and 461st AMU competed in the friendly competition to showcase each crew member’s talent. the 445th AMU claimed the title for this quarter.(U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

445th AMU claims quarterly weapons load competition title

Weapons load crew members with the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Unit cheer on fellow team members loading an F-16 Falcon during the Fourth Quarter Fighter Weapons Load Competition Jan. 6, 2014. Weapons load crew members from the 445th, 411th FLTS and 461st AMU competed in the friendly competition to showcase each crew member’s talent. The 445th AMU claimed this quarter's trophy and all of the quarterly winners will compete for the Load Crew of the Year Competition trophy which will take place Feb. 3, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

445th AMU claims quarterly weapons load competition title

Published Jan. 8, 2014
By Jet Fabara
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Maintenance Group held their Fourth Quarter Fighter Weapons Load Competition Jan. 6 to select the best fighter weapons load team for the final quarter of 2013.

Of the three teams that competed - the 411th, 445th, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Units - the team that took the distinct honor in this quarter's competition consisted of Staff Sgt. Dustin Jones, Airman 1st Class Maurice Appleton and Airman 1st Class Briano Molinaro from the 445th AMU.

"Weapons load competitions are held on a quarterly basis culminating in the finale of the annual weapons load competition," said Master Sgt. Joseph Ordway, 412th MXG weapons standardization superintendent. "Aircraft armament systems technicians have been competing in weapons load competitions dating back before the Korean War. These load competitions foster camaraderie by allowing the maintainers to showcase their unique skillset. The entire crew must function precisely as one entity in order to come out on top."

Prior to the quarterly competition, each unit selects its representatives by reviewing load barn and flightline evaluation results throughout the quarter, according to Ordway.

"The competition consists of a uniform inspection for Dress and Appearance followed by a written examination testing the participant's basic knowledge of loading weapons onto their respective aircraft," Ordway said. "Additionally, the crews present a Composite Tool Kit and a thorough inspection of their tools and technical data is conducted. Finally, the load crew completes a weapons upload, usually consisting of a bomb and missile. The timed upload is evaluated for safety and reliability."

Of all the AMUs that were invited to participate, the 411th AMU had to load an F-22 Raptor, the 445th AMU had to load an F-16 Falcon and the 461st AMU loaded an F-35 Lightning II.

"The experience level of this quarter's participants ranged from one to 10 years," added Ordway.

The winning load crew received a certificate, a one-day pass, as well as custody of the traveling Load Competition Championship Belt until the next quarterly competition. All of the quarterly winners will compete for the Load Crew of the Year Competition trophy which will take place Feb. 3, 2014.