Load competitions showcase skill

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Weapons loaders from the 28th Maintenance Group will test their war fighting capabilities and unit cohesion in a quarterly load competition scheduled for July 7.

All Ellsworth members are invited to view the competition which will take place at 1 p.m. on the flightline outside the Weapons Load Crew Training Facility (building 7225).

Traditionally used as a means for weapons Airmen to maintain job proficiency, the load competition will feature two four-man teams representing both the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Units. Unlike previous quarterly load competitions at Ellsworth, the two teams will conduct the weapons load portion side-by-side. 

"We normally load in our load training facility and each crew loads at different times," said Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Dunn, 28th Maintenance Group lead standardization team chief. "This time we are going to have the crews load simultaneously on two separate side by side aircraft to help increase the feel of a competition."

Along with a timed weapons load at 1 p.m., the two teams will be evaluated by six members of the 28 MXG Weapons Standardization team on dress and appearance, a 25-question written test and a composite tool kit inspection.

"We perform weapons loads once a month for training," said Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Hovingh, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew team chief, and team chief for the 37 BS team. "These competitions are a [means] for us to demonstrate our capabilities and give other members an idea of what we do."

In addition to adulation from their peers, the chance to showcase their skills to other Ellsworth Airmen outside the 28th Maintenance Group is also part of the enjoyment of quarterly load competitions.

There are some people at Ellsworth that have never even been on the flight line, said Staff Sgt. John Kim, 28 AMXS weapons load crew team chief and team chief for the 34 BS team. Without the weapons, the plane can't accomplish its mission.

The team with the highest score after the competition will win a traveling trophy, certificates of recognition and a day off from their squadron commander. The scheduled time for the competition is tentative based on weather conditions.