Staff Sgt. Jared Clark, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Flanker Aircraft Maintenance Unit F-15 Eagle weapons load crew chief, prepares an inert missile for loading during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. Load crew competitions are held four times a year, in addition to an annual competition, to see which load crew can correctly load their weapons the fastest. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Spangler)
Airman 1st Class Jacob Varner, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Thunder Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loader, checks over inert weapons that have been loaded onto an A-10 Thunderbolt II during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. While 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 Thomas Spangler)
Airman 1st Class Maurice Isom, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loader, tightens the connection between an inert missile and an aircraft during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. 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 for a particular quarter during the year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Sinatra, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Tomahawk Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loader, secures the connection between a munition and an aircraft during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. In order for the load crews to earn their place in the competition, they must prove themselves during their monthly proficiency loads, quarterly evaluations and every-day mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Airman 1st Class Keith Simpson, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Tomahawk Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loader, secures the connection between a munition and an aircraft during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. During a competition, each crew member has a set of tasks to carry out and work in teams of three or four to properly load weapons on an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)
Weapons loaders and inspectors from the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Raptor Aircraft Maintenance Unit wait at their work station during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. In addition to the weapons loading, crews are also inspected on their dress and appearance, and have their tool boxes inspected for good order to determine the 57th Maintenance Group’s best weapons load crew of the quarter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Spangler)
Senior Airman Tavish Macomb, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit aircraft armament systems journeyman, reaches for a tool in preparation to load a missile on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. The load crew competition tests Airmen on their positional proficiency, safety, and the ability to follow technical orders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Staff Sgt. Christina Woiton, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit aircraft armament systems craftsman, checks the connections on an AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile during a quarterly weapons load crew competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 10, 2014. Crew leaders like Woiton ensure safety by following all technical orders, leading the load and double checking completed loads to look for any damage to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
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