HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah, – Building and delivering munitions in combat requires safety, speed and precision, a delicate balance that takes training and practice.
A combined group of munitions Airmen from the 388th Munitions Squadron, 649th Munitions Squadron, and 421st Fighter Generation Squadron, will represent Team Hill at the Air Force Combat Competition designed to test and hone those skills.
“Training for this competition reminds me of the saying: ‘We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training,’” said 1st Lt. Trevor Hawes, 388th Munitions Squadron Production Flight commander.
The competition, Aug. 11-15, will be hosted by the 9th Munitions Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. This week-long event brings together munitions teams from across the Air Force to take on scenarios designed to simulate wartime operations.
Spanning five days and 10 challenges, events will test the teams’ knowledge and skills in various munitions tasks, focusing on their ability to operate in fast-paced, combat-like environments. Teams are judged on safety, technical expertise, speed, and effectiveness.
“When we’re preparing for this competition, we’re focusing on the details and getting stronger as a team” said team leader, Tech. Sgt. Brian Staller, 388th Munitions Squadron. “From building the munitions assembly conveyor to all the different munitions. It’s a lot of practice and repitition.”
Throughout the week, every aspect of their combat skills is evaluated to enhance overall preparedness and identify the best practices for the field.
Organizers say that by fostering pride and excellence through competition, the event strengthens the Air Force’s ability to adapt to modern wartime challenges.
The team representing Hill AFB is made up of nine munitions systems specialists and one aircraft armament systems specialist from the 388th Fighter Wing and 75th Air Base Wing.