Senior Airman Jasmine Stitt, Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, prepares a munition to be loaded onto an F-15 Eagle aircraft during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. During the competition, load crew members are evaluated on a written test, dress and appearance inspection, composite tool kit inspection, and the weapons load. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle)
Senior Airman Bradley Meyer, Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, ensures that a munition is properly secured during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. The competitions give weapons loaders throughout the 57th Maintenance Group the opportunity to display their war-fighting skills to their peers and superiors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle)
A weapons load crew from Lightning Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepares to load a munition on an F-35A Lightning II during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. In order for load crews to earn their place in the competition, they must prove themselves during monthly proficiency loads, quarterly evaluations and every-day mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Senior Airman Nicole Gallegos, Raptor Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, inspects a tool box for good order during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. Crews are inspected on their dress and appearance, orderliness of their tool boxes, the weapons load, and a written test to determine the 57th Maintenance Group’s best weapons load crew of the quarter or year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Staff Sgt. Frank Tauanuu, Raptor Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, helps guide a munition onto a jammer during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. In addition to recognizing superior performers, load crew competitions also help keep weapons loaders’ skills sharp and ready for real-world situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Airman 1st Class Jake Taeschler, Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, places tools in a composite tool kit during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. In addition to recognizing superior performers, load crew competitions also help keep weapons loaders’ skills sharp and ready for real-world situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jake Carter)
Staff Sgt. David Bridges, Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew chief, tightens a part on a munition during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. Weapons load teams are evaluated on their ability to properly follow all checklists, technical orders and safety procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle)
Airman 1st Class Kristian Thackery, Thunder Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, inspects a component on a munition during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. Load crew competitions are held to provide weapons personnel the opportunity to display their war-fighting skills and to unveil the best weapons load crew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Senior Airman Bradley Meyer, Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, tightens a munition onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon’s weapons station during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. Load crew competitions occur quarterly and provide crews the chance to compete in the annual weapons load crew competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle)
Senior Airman Bradley Meyer, Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, lifts a munition to load onto an aircraft during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. Load crews compete with one another to enhance their skills and promote camaraderie. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle)
Airman 1st Class Cory Baker, Tomahawk Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, prepares a munition during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. Weapons load crew competitions test each participant’s ability to load ordnance onto their assigned aircraft in a safe, efficient and correct manner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jake Carter)
Airman 1st Class Christopher Alvarez, Lightning Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, inspects a component of a munition during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. During a competition, each weapons load crew member has a set of tasks to carry out and work in teams of three to properly load weapons on an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Staff Sgt. Travis Brown, Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, loads a munition onto an F-15 Eagle during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. Weapons load crews compete in the quarterly competition for a chance to determine the best crew at Nellis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jake Carter)
Quarterly weapons load crew competition watch as Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew members perform during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2015. 57th Maintenance Group load crews were competing to see which crew could correctly load weapons on to their respective aircraft the quickest. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle)
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