Page 10 - Nellis Creech NTTR Bullseye, 2-17-17

10 February 17, 2017 www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb
News
BULLSEYE
Facebook.com/NellisBullseye Annual weapons load recognizes superior performers, keeps skills sharp
By senior Airman Rachel Loftis
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Three-man load crews from the seven aircraft maintenance units assigned to the 57th Maintenance Group convened on the flightline here to compete in the annual weapons load crew competition Jan. 27.
The purpose of a load crew competi- tion is to recognize superior performers, as well as help keep weapons loaders’ skills sharp and ready for real-world situations.
“The annual competition is always a little more complex (than the quarterly),” said Tech. Sgt. Todd Swanson, 57th MXG weapons standardization. “The loads are more difficult and take more time to execute. “
To be chosen for the annual competi- tion is no easy task.
“Each aircraft maintenance unit (AMU) weapons section puts up a single crew,” said Swanson. “The selection is based on the following statistics: duty performance, load barn pass rates and quality assurance (QA) pass rates.”
Once selected, each competition
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rachel Loftis
A three-man load crew loads a munition during the annual load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 27. The annual competition is always more complex than the quarterly making the loads more difficult and longer execute.
“Next the crews break up and take their individual tests in separate loca- tions. While all of this is going on the weapons standardization personnel are working alongside quality assurance personnel to inspect the composite tool kits. The next day we start them with the load competition.”
During the load competition they must safely and reliably load all muni- tions designated on to their supplied air- craft. They must do this within the time limit specified in the regulations. Each categories score is then added together to make the overall score and the crew with the highest score wins the competition.
Not only do the competitions recog- nize superior performers and help keep weapons loaders’ skills sharp, they also increase moral.
“I believe the competitions increase morale because the crews get a chance to become the undisputed 57th Wing champion,” said Master Sgt. Benjamin Thomas, 57th MXG weapons standard- ization NCO-in-charge. “In addition, all members of their respective units are in attendance and get to show their unit
consists of a written test, dress and ap- pearance inspection, composite tool-kit inspection, and finally the load compe- tition.
“It is a two-day event in which both
days we get them started very early,” Swanson added. “Day one, the Airmen start with a uniform inspection promptly at 7 a.m. This inspection is conducted by different first sergeants each time.
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