Airmen battle with weapons

Published Nov. 6, 2023

An Airman drives an AIM-120 vehicle inside a hangar, a fighter jet in the background.

An Airman performs pre-load procedures on an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

An Airman rushes to finalize pre-load procedures on an F-16 Falcon.

Airmen load a weapon to a vehicle, an F-16 Fighting Falcon behind them.

Airman load a weapon to a F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Airmen work together on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a weapons load competition.

The 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load team battled for the third quarter load crew award Oct. 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The quick paced competition pitted the F-16 Fighting Falcon Blue team against the F-15 Eagle Red team in a test of knowledge, proficiency, speed and skill. (U.S. Air Force imagery by Samuel King Jr. and Michelle Gigante)