230112-F-NI018-1044

Staff Sgt. Schnathan Johnson, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) weapons load crew chief, prepares an inert munition for transportation during the 2nd Maintenance Group annual weapons load competition, at Barksdale Air Force Base L.a., Jan. 11, 2023. Each crew’s performance in this final event will have an impact on their standings for the 2023 Load Crew of the Year award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Pugh)

230112-F-NI018-1055

Staff Sgt. Schnathan Johnson, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) weapons load crew chief, secures an inert munition to a B-52H Stratofortress underwing air-launched cruise missile pylon during the 2nd Maintenance Group annual weapons load competition, at Barksdale Air Force Base L.a., Jan. 11, 2023. At Barksdale’s load competitions, weapons load crews compete by loading munitions onto their respective sides of a B-52 while being judged on speed, safety and accuracy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Pugh)

230112-F-NI018-1037

Airmen participate in the 2nd Maintenance Group annual weapons load competition while evaluators assess their performance, at Barksdale Air Force Base L.a., Jan. 11, 2023. At load crew competitions, two teams of munitions and weapons Airmen work together to mount weapons on a B-52H Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Pugh)

230112-F-NI018-1033

Airman 1st Class Andree Roberts, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) weapons load crew member, and Senior Airman Kaaiakea Kaopuiki, 20th AMU load crew member, secure a munitions rack to a bomb-lift truck while being graded by Staff Sgt. Jacob Niles, 96th AMU weapons standardization evaluator, during the 2nd Maintenance Group annual weapons load competition, at Barksdale Air Force Base L.a., Jan. 11, 2023. An integral part of load crew tradition, load competitions hone both skill and readiness while promoting camaraderie within the unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Pugh)

230112-F-NI018-1021

Senior Airman Michael Becker, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) weapons load crew member, gives directions to other load crew members during the 2nd Maintenance Group annual weapons load competition at Barksdale Air Force Base L.a., Jan. 11, 2023. This annual event features the two highest-performance load crews from the past year competing for the best score. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Pugh)

230112-F-NI018-1012

Master Sgt. Marcella Phillips, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) weapons standardization evaluator watches as Senior Airman Michael Becker, 96th AMU weapons load crew member, gives directions to other load crew members during the 2nd Maintenance Group annual weapons load competition, at Barksdale Air Force Base L.a., Jan. 11, 2023. Load competitions focus on speed and accuracy, with teams going head-to-head to improve their skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Pugh)

230112-F-NI018-1006

A final showdown between Barksdale’s top munition-loading crews

Published Jan. 23, 2023
By Airman 1st Class William Pugh
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, L.A.-- --