CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada -- Airmen assigned to the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, work around the clock to bring support to the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise.
Supplying the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper with munitions is just one way the 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew Airmen aim for excellence and exemplify what it takes to accomplish just that.
Airman 1st Class Quantavious and Airman 1st Class Ricardo, both AMXS weapons load crew members, and Staff Sgt. Charlie, AMXS weapons load crew chief were selected to represent Reaper Aircraft Maintenance Unit at the 2015 Load Crew of the Year competition slated for March 9, 2016.
Also competing for the title from Tiger AMU are Staff Sgt. Justin, AMXS weapons load crew chief, Senior Airman Christopher and Airman 1st Class Stuart, both 432nd AMXS weapons load crew members.
This friendly competition challenges a three-person weapons loading team to see who can load munitions faster and more effectively, while keeping safety in mind. As an integral part of load crew tradition, it furthers skills and promotes camaraderie between the two RPA maintenance units.
“These load competitions help our teams exercise their skills and abilities to execute the mission in a safe environment first, and prepare to execute missions for combat operations, all while improving morale within the units," said Col. Matthew Finnegan, 432nd Maintenance Group commander.
For each load crew competition, teams are graded on a number of factors such as the loading of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs in a set time, while committing as few discrepancies as possible. The teams are also graded on dress and appearance, a knowledge based test, and their composite tool kit (CTK).
Airman 1st Class Stuart said the competition helps to emulate an emergency situation where the crews have to load munitions quickly and perfectly, while under stress.
Going into the contest, Airmen know nothing about the tasks ahead of them. To prepare, they keep their skills sharpened by visiting the ‘load barn’, or weapons standardization section to train and increase knowledge.
There are nine small teams in Reaper AMU, each with a unique name. Quantavious, Ricardo and Charlie make up Crew 25 in Reaper AMU. Load crew teams are responsible for loading both live and inert munitions to support the training schedule at home station, as well as the heavy operations tempo downrange.
“Crew 25 has set the bar high for all other load crews to measure up to,” said Master Sgt. Frederick, 432nd AMXS weapons flight chief. “They have such a balance between precision and speed while ensuring the job is done 100 percent correct the first time. They work well under pressure.”
Frederick went on to say what makes the crew special is its Airmen and the leadership of a seasoned team chief.
Charlie ‘s crew won both the second and fourth quarter Load Crew of the Quarters in 2015, which is rarely accomplished by Airmen of their rank. They were also selected to participate in exercise Combat Hammer, designed to assess and evaluate the reliability, maintainability, suitability and accuracy of RPA munitions.
By comparison, Justin, Christopher and Stuart were selected individually from crews three, four and nine of Tiger AMU to compete based on their ability to perform above standard. The team participated in the Load Crew of the Quarter competition December of 2015, and proved they had what it takes to compete in the annual competition.
Staff Sgt. Nelson, 432nd AMXS weapons load crew chief, said the Airmen from Tiger AMU were picked for their overall performance and fast load times.
Individual merit and the ability to carry out their tasks above average are what makes them the load crew of choice from Tiger, said Nelson.
“I’m excited to face off against Airman Wall again,” said Stuart. “We had a great load comp last quarter, but we are pulling out all the stops this time to get Tiger a win!”
Names of the winners will be released April 1, 2016 at the Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet.