AMUs strive for best load crew Published Jan. 27, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The best weapons loaders from the 55th, 77th and 79th Aircraft Maintenance Units competed in a Load Crew of the Quarter competition Dec. 29 in building 611. The winners will be announced today.The competition is held every three months and is open to the entire base for viewing.The event promotes morale and increases proficiency, knowledge, professionalism and integrity through competition between AMU load crews, said Master Sgt. Cleveland Harper, 20th Maintenance Group load standardization crew chief."This was the first time on Shaw that all crews loaded simultaneously during the competition," he said.The judges scored the teams in different areas to determine the best load crew."Each crew is subjected to a formal dress and appearance inspection, a 20-question written exam, an inspection of their assigned consolidated tool kit and the munitions load. The munitions load carries the most weight," said Sgt. Harper.“Each load crew begins with 2,000 points. Each documented discrepancy results in the deduction of a specified number of points. The crew with the highest point total following the competition is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the crew with the fastest load time is declared the winner,” he said.Each team loaded two GBU-12 laser guided bombs, an AIM-120 AMRAAM and an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile."Winners will be announced at the quarterly award ceremony and receive a three-day pass and individual plaques from the 20th Maintenance Group. The winning crew is recognized on the base marquee, The Shaw Spirit, and the Air Combat Command Newsletter," said Sgt. Harper."Crews are notified of the munitions that need to be loaded three weeks in advance," said Sgt. Harper. "They can schedule practice time in Weapons Standardization or within their own AMU. If the schedule permits, they can practice as many times as they like up to the day of the competition.""The competition went very well. It was a little shaky at first, but it leveled out,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Wells, 77th AMU team captain. “We quickly got into our groove."Representing the 55th AMU team was Staff Sgt. Sara Hufty, Senior Airman Loraine Bush and Senior Airman Robert Rodriguez.The 77th AMU team was comprised of Staff Sgt. Adam Wells, Senior Airman Kevin Woods and Airman 1st Class Steven Ayala.The 79th AMU was represented by Staff Sgt. Excel Kendrick, Senior Airman Samuel Casaras and Airman 1st Class Robert Stone.