MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (ACCNS) -- Two A-10Cs sat pointing at the assembled crowd, surrounded by trailers loaded with bombs and missiles. Standing in front of them were six anxious-looking Airmen at parade rest, and a man in blues before a podium.
As he began to speak, AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" began to rise from the loudspeakers surrounding the hangar.
"Here stand the two highest-rated load crews in the 23rd Wing based on the past three months of performance, inspections and overall professionalism," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Hodge, Weapons Standardization Section loading standardization crew member, to the assembled crowd of more than 75 coworkers, family members and unit leadership. "This demonstration load will determine who earns the right to call themselves the best."
As the music rose to its crescendo and the chant of "Thun-der!" began to pump from the speakers, Sergeant Hodge leaned forward into the microphone and bellowed the words the six Airmen had been waiting weeks to hear.
"Crews, Ten-HUT!......BREAK!"
With his order, a tightly-choreographed high-intensity ballet began on each pad, mirrored by the competing crew. The two 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crews from the 74th and 75th Aircraft Maintenance Units would not stop 'dancing' at full speed for the next 45 minutes.
The 23rd Wing load crew of the quarter competition was the first held by the base for the A-10C, said Tech Sgt Dennis Wisser, 23rd WS LSC crew chief.
"Every aspect of a load crew's performance is evaluated," he said. "They undergo a job knowledge test, toolbox inspection, and personal appearance inspection before they even step out onto the load pad for the load-off."
And the load faced by the two crews was a formidable one, added Sergeant Wisser. Crews needed to install seven bombs and two missiles onto their aircraft without going over the allotted time and with no discrepancies. To prevent practice sessions,
the two teams had no idea what munitions they would be tasked to load until the day of the competition.
"We do this to see how crews can load under extreme stress," he added. "The crowds, music and time standard all add-up to make this unlike any other load they will encounter. It truly does separate the crews that can handle it from those that can't."
Staff Sgt. Harrison Ragin, Senior Airman Kimberly Brown, and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Flores of the 75th AMU proved they could handle it with style, finishing three minutes before the 74th AMU with absolutely no discrepancies.
But both load crews performed exceptionally well, said Sergeant Rick Croteau, 23rd WS LSC crew member.
"The scores were exceptionally close, the only difference were a few very minor discrepancies by the 74th AMU," he said. "In fifteen years of loading, it was the closest competition I had ever witnessed. Both teams set the bar very high for the rest to follow."
The 75th AMU was awarded a travelling trophy to place in their unit. Three months from now, the best crew in the unit will defend it against a crew from the 74th AMU. At the end of the year, the best crews from the past four competitions will compete for the coveted title of load crew of the year. This award will be presented at the annual Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet.
For Senior Master Sgt. Jay Morgan, 75th AMU weapons flight chief, the award was hard-earned and long deserved, and his Airmen won't be giving it up without a fight.
"The 74th has been the dominant competitor for a very long time," he said. "I think it's appropriate for us to settle the score a bit by taking the very first load comp at Moody. We plan on turning the tables on them and starting a new dynasty. They can try, but this trophy will stay in our house for quite a while."
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)