HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – The 419th and 388th Fighter Wings held a quarterly weapons load competition here July 6.
One Reserve team and three active duty teams competed in the competition, which tests Airmen’s ability to quickly and accurately load weapons onto an F-35 Lightning II.
“Competitions like these are important in the weapons community,” said Senior Master Sgt. Craig Fowler, 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. “The challenge and the pressure really helps build camaraderie among the AMUs [aircraft maintenance units].”
This quarter marks the first time teams were evaluated on securing an external bomb to the F-35 wing. They also loaded a missile into the aircraft’s internal weapons bay.
Representing the 419th FW were Staff Sgt. Andrew Rapp, Staff Sgt. Dennis Carty, and Senior Airman Connor Hansen.