Red AMU takes weapons load competition

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A three-person F-15 load crew from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron won the third quarter load competition here Oct. 19.

Staff Sgt. Carlos Rodriguez and Senior Airmen Michael Simmers and Andrew Kim scored a 967 out of 1000 points. Their competition, an F-16 load crew of Staff Sgt. James Brower and Senior Airmen Adrian Pamintuan and Marlon Lao scored 903 out of 1000.

"From a warfighter readiness perspective, the head-to-head loading competitions offer an opportunity for demonstrate proficiency, technical accuracy and speed," said Chief Master Sgt. Craig Brandenburg, the 96th Test Wing weapons manager. "Eglin's mission differs only so far as we perform these weapons loading functions in a test capacity, these same individuals rotate into and out of standard units requiring all the same loading skills. The standard time limits still apply to our training just as a combat unit would have. This is the reason recognizing our best crews' prowess is important to us all."

The load crews were required to load an MK-82 and an AIM-9M on their individual aircraft. The crews were evaluated on dress and appearance, a knowledge-based test, tool kits and the cleanest technically accurate weapons load.

"The competitions historically spawned from having a time limit imposed on the crews to provide maximum combat turnaround capability," said the chief. "Our attack, bomber and fighter aircraft should be able to deliver their payloads, land and return to the fight in as minimum a time a possible. The crews that did this the best justifiably earned bragging rights until bested by another."

This load competition is as much about accuracy as 'who can finish first.' The F-16 crew, or AMU-Blue, finished a few minutes ahead of Rodriguez and his F-15 crew, but point deductions lowered their overall score, giving AMU-Red the win.

In January, the best of the best from AMU-Red and Blue will compete for load crew of the year honors for 2012.