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20th FW Airmen load up for victory

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  Four crews arrived at hangar 1200 on March 16 with one goal: to earn the load crew of the year title. 

The bleachers filled up with members from each aircraft maintenance unit, all eager to cheer on the crews and show their support. Several trailers pulled up to the hangar, revealing the weapons the crews would soon be loading onto the jets. 

"The load crew competition not only evaluates proficiency, it demonstrates our war-time capability," said Maj. Mark Rose, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. 

Each crew had previously won a quarterly load crew competition to earn their position in the annual event. The winning crew takes the title and carries the trophy home to their squadron. 

Prior to the loading, crews are evaluated on personal appearance, and the upkeep of their toolbox and technical orders. They also take a weapons academic test. 

Each load competition is nearly identical with the munitions as the variant. For this competition, the crews were required to load two AIM-9 Sidewinders, two AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and an AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile, in 55 minutes or less. 

"We have four of the finest crews in the maintenance group competing against each other. They are all winners for being here," said Col. Mike Vidal, 20th Maintenance Group commander. 

With the start of the competition only moments away, the crews were introduced. Two 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crews competed this year. Staff Sgt. Kevin Greenwich, Airman 1st Class Joe Craddock and Airman Michael Williams formed one crew and Staff Sgt. Jeremy Fogleman, Senior Airman Michael Kavanaugh and Airman 1st Class Alex Baker were on the other 55th AMU crew. The 77th AMU's crew was Staff Sgt. Samuel McDonald, and Senior Airmen Bert Lowry and Randy Zuckerman. The 79th AMU's crew was Staff Sgt. Miguel Duarte, and Senior Airmen Steve Dash and Jacob Tolman. 

The grey skies carried an air of drab silence, but the heat of competition would soon take over the mood of the hangar. 

The clock began and the crew chief quickly briefed the other two members on each weapon they were about to load. A safety brief was given and each member is asked to remove any jewelry to prevent damage.

The crew chief called the crew to attention and gave the order "ready, break."
The crew members darted to each of their positions. The crew chief checked the fire bottle and then checked and cleared the cockpit, while the other two crew members checked their designated side of the jet for any damage or safety hazards. 

As the crews prepared to draw the AIM-9s off the trailer, the bleak skies darkened with heavy clouds. Soon the crewmembers were working in a steady rainfall. 

The AIM-9s required the labor of all three crew members. They hoisted, carried and securely loaded the AIM-9s to the jet. 

The AIM-120s and AGM-88 are loaded on the jet with an MJ-1 Lift Truck, or jammer. The AGM-88 is not an easy load because it is so difficult to line up the missile with the LAU-118 missile launcher. It is a load which requires intense precision and team work, said Senior Airman Donald Shoals, 77th AMU weapons loader. Ideally, one crew member maneuvers the jammer as the other two guide the munitions into place.

One 55th AMU crew was put to a halt as smoke began to pour out of the jammer. They retrieved a fire extinguisher, but the smoke ceased on its own. With the jammer no longer operational, the crew had to work backwards to reset the AIM-120 to the trailer. The clock was racing against the crew as they pushed the jammer out of the way and brought in a new one. 

Continuing on, the crews loaded a total of 20 munitions. The winners of the competition will be announced April 13 at the Maintenance Professional of the Year Banquet. 

"It was an intense competition," Sergeant Greenwich said. "We're definitely proud to be here, living up to the 'shooter standard.'"