Upcoming 2d Bomb Wing maintenance competition for Global Strike Challenge

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. John Gordinier
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Air Force Global Strike Command is set to bring the command's first ever Global Strike Challenge to include the 2d Bomb Wing and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress. Team Barksdale will begin the competition with the maintenance portion, which will display Barksdale's best crew chiefs, weapons loaders, and munitions builders.

"The competition itself will consist of a test in knowledge of Air Force Instructions and technical data, dress and appearance, pre-flight inspection, trainer weapons loads and a buildup of munitions," said 1st Lt. Nicholas Welch, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge.

"Team Barksdale has been practicing for this event for the past several months to become proficient in their specific arenas," he said. "Please come out and reward the efforts of our very own and support our competitors as the 2d BW hosts a full dress rehearsal Aug. 13; then, the Global Strike Challenge Aug. 17-18.

The list of events for the full dress rehearsal is as follows:
8-9 a.m. Conventional Weapons Load on the Flight Line (H Row)
9:30 -11:30 a.m. Munitions Build on the Bomb Build Pad (Building 6600)
1-2 p.m. Nuclear Weapons Load on the Flight Line (H Row)
2:15-4:30 p.m. Air Craft Pre-Flight Follow Up on the Flight Line (Near H Row)

The actual Global Strike Challenge will be a two day event and the schedule of events is:
Aug. 17
9-9:30 a.m. Weapons Inspection at the Weapons Standardization Squadron
9:45-10:45 a.m. Trainer Conventional Load on the Flight Line (Near H Row)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Munitions Buildup at the Bomb Build Pad (Building 6600)
Aug. 18
8-9 a.m. Trainer Nuclear Load on the Flight Line (Near H Row)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Burger Burn at the Maintenance Group picnic area

All scheduled events are subject to change and are tentative.

"I feel it is an honor to be selected as one of the two load crews to represent Barksdale in the first AFGSC competition," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Santell, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons section. "Our selection shows that my crew's hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. We are looking forward to the opportunity to set the bar high for future competitions."

"Once again, please come out and support Team Barksdale as we are poised to kick of the inaugural Global Strike Challenge with a victory," Lieutenant Welch concluded.

The AFGSC Challenge maintenance team:

Munitions Build Team (2d Munitions Squadron)
Tech. Sgt. Ryan Johnson
Staff Sgt. Alex Crandall
Staff Sgt. Brandon Henry
Senior Airman Jacob Reeves
Senior Airman Christopher Pierce
Airman 1st Class John Richoux
Airman 1st Class Kyle Campbell

Trainer Conventional Load Crew (2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron)
Staff Sgt. Daniel Santell
Staff Sgt. Jose Baez-Sauri
Staff Sgt. Tahnee Bouvy
Senior Airman Francisco Martinez

Trainer Nuclear Load Crew (2d AMXS)
Tech. Sgt. Thomas Ritchey
Staff Sgt. Christopher Uecker
Senior Airman Adam Renander
Senior Airman Kyle Davey

Crew Chiefs (2d AMXS)
Primaries
Staff Sgt. Matthew Lehman Sr.
Senior Airman Matthew Dennis

Alternates
Staff Sgt. Courtney Hawkins
Staff Sgt. Marice Goodson