Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

The 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Viper 3 load team works together to complete a general weapons knowledge test prior to the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. The Viper 3 crew competed against the best crew from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Cobra 7. To become eligible to compete for the quarterly competition, monthly load stats were evaluated, along with flightline evaluations, semi-annual evaluations and stellar aircraft maintenance actions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Chief Master Sgt. Brian Huber, 2nd Mission Support Group superintendent, inspects the dress and appearance of Airmen from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit as part of the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. Each quarter the top crew from the 20th AMU squares off against the top crew from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and are evaluated based on their performances on a written test, dress and appearance inspection, a tool box inspection and weapons load technical operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Senior Airman Brandon Barber, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Cobra 7 load crew, operates an MHU-83 loader during the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. The load crews used the MHU-83 to transport munitions from the trailer to the B-52 Stratofortress pylon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Airmen show support for load crews during the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. Barksdale Airmen regularly compete against one another to determine which team is most proficient at loading a B-52 Stratofortress with a variety of ordnance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Senior Airman Christopher Uzhca, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit team member, inspects munitions during a weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. Uzhca was his team’s “3 man,” responsible for making sure all the correct munitions were prepared for loading onto the B-52 Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Staff Sgt. Andrew Shaffer, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit team member, inspects a loading station during a weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. Each quarter the top crew from the 20th AMU squares off against the top crew from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and are evaluated based on their performances on a written test, dress and appearance inspection, a tool box inspection and weapons load technical operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

The 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Viper 3 load crew secures a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition to a B-52 Stratofortress pylon during a weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. A GBU-38 is a 500-lb guided air-to-surface weapon with a range up to 15 miles and is accurate in any weather condition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Fans show their enthusiasm at the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. Barksdale Airmen regularly compete against one another to determine which team is most proficient at loading a B-52 Stratofortress with a variety of ordnance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Senior Airman Brittany Davis, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit team member, inspects a loading station during a weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. For this quarter's competition, each four-person team readied the aircraft and loaded two GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions onto the aircraft's two exterior weapon pylons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Senior Airman David Hansen, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Cobra 7 load crew member, secures a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition for transport during the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. A GBU-38 is a 500-lb guided air-to-surface weapon with a range up to 15 miles and is accurate in any weather condition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Tech. Sgt. Rafael Linero (right), 2nd Maintenance Group, inspects Staff Sgt. James Granger, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Viper 3 team chief, during a weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. Linero was one of four inspectors observing the 20th and 96th AMUs during the competition to see which unit could inspect, prepare and load weapons onto a B-52 Stratofortress with the least amount of discrepancies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

The 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit’s Cobra 7 load crew poses for a photo with Col. David Carlson, 2nd Maintenance Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kim Castro, 2nd MXG superintendent, after winning the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. Cobra 7 prevailed against the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit’s top load team, Viper 3, in the competition which included a written test, dress and appearance inspection, a tool box inspection and a weapons load technical operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

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Bombs Away: weapons load competition hits the target

Published Jan. 13, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Curt Beach
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Viper 3 load team works together to complete a general weapons knowledge test prior to the fourth quarter weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 7, 2016. The Viper 3 crew competed against the best crew from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Cobra 7. To become eligible to compete for the quarterly competition, monthly load stats were evaluated, along with flightline evaluations, semi-annual evaluations and stellar aircraft maintenance actions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)