Global Strike Challenge

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Airmen from the 2d Munitions Squadron unhook a trainer weapon from a forklift during the Global Strike challenge Aug. 17. As many as 400 Airmen are competing, including Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command and the Air Reserve Component. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)(RELEASED)

Global Strike Challenge

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Staff Sgt. Daniel Santell and Staff Sgt. Jose Baez-Sauri, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member lift the bomb bay doors open on a B-52H Stratofortress to load trainer cruise missiles onto the aircraft during the Global Strike challenge Aug. 17. As many as 400 Airmen are competing, including Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command and the Air Reserve Component. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)(RELEASED)

Global Strike Challenge

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Airmen from the 2d Munitions Squadron unhooks a weapon from a forklift during the Global Strike Challenge Aug. 17. As many as 400 Airmen are competing, including Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command and the Air Reserve Component. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)(RELEASED)

Global Strike Challenge

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Staff Sgt. Tahnee Bouvy, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, follow the steps necessary to load trainer cruise missiles onto a B-52H Stratofortress during the Global Strike Challenge Aug. 17. The competition itself consisted of a test in knowledge of Air Force Instruction and technical data, dress and appearance, pre-flight inspection, trainer weapons loads and a buildup of munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)(RELEASED)

Global Strike Challenge

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Staff Sgt. Tahnee Bouvy and Senior Airman Francisco Martinez, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, follow the steps necessary to load trainer cruise missiles onto a B-52H Stratofortress while an evaluator watches, during the Global Strike Challenge Aug. 17. The competition itself consisted of a test in knowledge of Air Force Instruction and technical data, dress and appearance, pre-flight inspection, trainer weapons loads and a buildup of munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)(RELEASED)

Global Strike Challenge

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Staff Sgt. Daniel Santell and Staff Sgt. Jose Baez-Sauri, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member follow the steps necessary to load trainer cruise missiles onto a B-52H Stratofortress during the Global Strike Challenge Aug. 17. The competition itself consisted of a test in knowledge of Air Force Instruction and technical data, dress and appearance, pre-flight inspection, trainer weapons loads and a buildup of munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)(RELEASED)

Global Strike Challenge

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Staff Sgt. Jose Baez-Sauri, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, yells out instructions as trainer cruise missiles are put into place for loading onto a B-52H Stratofortress during the Global Strike Challenge Aug. 17. The competition itself consisted of a test in knowledge of Air Force Instruction and technical data, dress and appearance, pre-flight inspection, trainer weapons loads and a buildup of munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman)(RELEASED)

Maintenance Airmen compete in Global Strike Challenge

Published Aug. 20, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm
2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La -- Approximately 20 of Barksdale's finest maintenance Airmen competed in the first Global Strike Challenge Aug. 17-18 and competed against more than 400 Airmen from other bases.

Months of training prepared Barksdale competitors to compete against more than 400 bomber-crew Airmen from: Minot Air Force Base, N.D.; Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.; Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; and Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. in order to be recognized as the best-of-the-best.

Missile crews from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.; Minot Air Force Base, N.D.; and F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. also competed in the challenge.

"I feel that we were among the top maintainers who competed," said Staff Sgt. Marice Goodson, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crewchief. "This challenge not only boosted morale but gave us a competitive edge against other squadrons and allowed us to see where we sit compared to other bases. We were prepped by our senior leadership; we knew the inspection criteria and were prepared for anything we could possibly be challenged with. I think we blew this challenge out of the water."

The selected Barksdale weapons loaders were judged on a conventional weapons load and a simulated nuke load, as well as being judged on the accuracy of the load and safety requirements. Crewchiefs performed a pre-flight inspection and question and answer session to be judged. All competing Airmen were also evaluated on dress and appearance and given a knowledge test of technical data they are accountable for.

"The performance our maintainers gave was exceptional and I am confident that it will be reflected during the closing ceremony," said 1st Lt. Nicholas Welch, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer-in-charge. "We chose the best-of-the-best and they represented the 2d Bomb Wing well."

The evaluation team consisted of career-field experts from each of the active-duty bases.
Official score-posting will be announced here Nov. 15-18, in concurrence with the Global Strike Challenge technology symposium.