Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

Airman 1st Class Stephanie Tewart, left, Airman 1st Class Brandon Gipson, middle, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew members, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jayson Ginn, right, 67th AMU weapons load crew team chief, stand at parade rest during a load competition introduction ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. The quarterly weapons load competition pits the 67th AMU, “Fighting Cocks” against the 44th AMU “Vampire Bats” in a friendly competition of skill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kenyah Smith, left, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, and Airman 1st Class Logan Millman, far right, 44th AMU weapons load crew member, are evaluated during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. These events sharpen the skills of the Airmen competing, allowing Kadena to deliver unmatched combat airpower to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

Airman 1st Class Brandon Gipson, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, prepares a missile rack on a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. The weapons load competition utilized two AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and two AIM-9 Sidewinders, a short-range missile with full day and night capabilities, to test the skill of each load crew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

Airman 1st Class Jasmine Lloyd, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, prepares a missile rack on a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. The weapons load crews are responsible for loading the munitions into their respective F-15C Eagle, demonstrating their proficiency in the support of agile combat power employment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jayson Ginn, left, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, and Airman 1st Class Stephanie Tewart, right, 67th AMU weapons load crew member, work together to move an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. Load crews were evaluated on safety, reliability, expertise and time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kenyah Smith, left, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, and Airman 1st Class Logan Millman, right, 44th AMU weapons load crew member, install wings on an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. Weapons load crews must be proficient in performing approximately 800 critical steps that maintain the safety, security and reliability of weapons systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

Airman 1st Class Logan Millman, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, installs wings on an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile at a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. With around-the-clock shifts, weapons load crews ensure Kadena maintains a fleet of F-15C Eagles properly equipped with deployable combat power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kenyah Smith, middle, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, ensures an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile is properly loaded on a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle while Airmen 1st Class Jasmine Lloyd, left, and Airman 1st Class Logan Millman, right, 44th AMU weapons load crew members, assist her during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. Weapons load crew chiefs are responsible for ensuring the aircraft is ready for flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jayson Ginn, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, secures an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile on a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. The F-15C Eagle is an all-weather, tactical fighter with the potential to be armed with several combinations of air-to-air weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

Airman 1st Class Jasmine Lloyd, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, connects two connector caps during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. Making sure connector caps are not left open is a vital step in preventing foreign object debris like dirt or dust from entering the item. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

Airman 1st Class Stephanie Tewart, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, replaces holding pins on a munitions trailer during a load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2021. Experts in their craft, weapons load crews not only load munitions, but also maintain aircraft launch and release devices and test new weapons systems, making them a crucial part of Kadena’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

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Weapons load crews stay armed and ready

Published Dec. 2, 2021
By Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --