33rd FW hosts first F-35A annual load competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea Posey
  • 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 33rd Fighter Wing held its first annual weapons load competition with the F-35A Lightning II here, Feb. 5, to find the best weapons load crew at the 33rd Maintenance Group.

This event marks a milestone in the 33rd FW's F-35 program's progression as the first annual competition in seven years since the 2009 draw down of the F-15C Eagle. The 33rd FW flew F-15's until the Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission directed the divestment of the aircraft and established the wing as the host unit for the F-35 Integrated Training Center. On Sept. 8, 2009, the wing's final F-15 departed to make way for the F-35's arrival on July 14, 2011.

"[This competition] is very important to the F-35 program because it shows our progress as weapons load trainers and how the F-35 has grown," said Tech. Sgt. Daryl Crane, 33rd MXG weapons load standardization crew member. "It also shows how we've brought this aircraft [towards] initial operational capability. We set the milestones for other bases to have these aircraft ready to drop [munitions] as soon they get them."

During this competition load crews undergo a uniform inspection, a written 25-question test covering loading procedures and weapons safety, a weapons tool box inspection and an Air Intercept Missile 120 and Guided Bomb Unit 12 integrated load. All evaluated processes are graded on a point system distinguishing the team with the highest points as the winner.

"The purpose of weapons load competition is to allow the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit load crews to showcase their abilities as excellent loaders and encourage a competitive spirit to our career field," said Tech. Sgt. Raymond Mott, 33rd MXG F-35A loading standardization crew member.

The 33rd FW has 14 load crews made up of one lead standardization crew, two lead crews, and 11 load crews. Only these 11 load crews, in the 58th AMU, are eligible to compete in the load competition.

The 33rd FW hosted four quarterly load competitions for the 11 load crew teams to compete against each other to qualify for the annual event.

"The competition pushes our loaders to stay competitive," Mott said. "This [event] ultimately makes all of our 11 load crews better and smarter loaders."

The winners of this competition will be announced at the military professional of the year ceremony March 11. This team will compete in a base-wide load competition March 18, against load crews from the 96th Test Wing on Eglin Air Force Base to determine the base's best load crew.

"Our career field has a lot of pride. Earning the title of the best load crew is the same as winning the gold medal in the Olympics because it follows you throughout your entire career," said Mott.