Kadena weapon loaders face off

The 18th Wing Load Crew of the Quarter trophy awaits its newest keeper prior to a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. The competition pitted Active Duty and Air National Guard Airmen from three squadrons against each other to determine the finest weapons load team at the Keystone of the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepares an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile to be loaded onto an F-15C Eagle during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. Kadena’s aircraft weapons load teams face off quarterly to test the skill and professionalism of Kadena Airmen while building camaraderie among the base’s diverse team of aircraft maintainers. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman from the 356th Fighter Generation Squadron prepares an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile to be loaded onto an F-35A Lightning II during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. The 356th FGS is deployed to Kadena to support deployed F-35As that are maintaining U.S. fifth-generation fighter presence in and around Japan’s south-west islands. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman from the 356th Fighter Generation Squadron loads an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile onto an F-35A Lightning II during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. The 356th FGS is deployed to Kadena to support deployed F-35As that are maintaining U.S. fifth-generation fighter presence in over and around Japan’s south-west islands. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepares to load an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile onto an F-15C Eagle during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. Kadena’s aircraft weapons load teams face off quarterly to test the skill and professionalism of Kadena Airmen while building camaraderie among the base’s diverse team of aircraft maintainers. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron loads an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile onto an F-15C Eagle during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. Kadena’s maintenance Airmen are entrusted with the task of ensuring Kadena’s fleet of more than 100 aircraft are safe and ready to project airpower across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

Airmen from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile onto an F-15C Eagle during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. The competition pitted Active Duty and Air National Guard Airmen from three squadrons against each other to determine the finest weapons load team at the Keystone of the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepares an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile to be loaded onto an F-15C Eagle during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. Kadena’s aircraft weapons load teams face off quarterly to test the skill and professionalism of Kadena Airmen while building camaraderie among the base’s diverse team of aircraft maintainers. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron loads an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile onto an F-15C Eagle during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. Kadena’s aircraft weapons load teams face off quarterly to test the skill and professionalism of Kadena Airmen while building camaraderie among the base’s diverse team of aircraft maintainers. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

An Airman assigned to the 356th Fighter Generation Squadron fastens the straps on a bomb rack during a weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. The 356th FGS is deployed to Kadena to support deployed F-35As that are maintaining U.S. fifth-generation fighter presence in and around Japan’s south-west islands. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

Airmen assigned to the 356th Fighter Generation Squadron pose with the trophy during a quarterly weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. The competition pitted Active Duty and Air National Guard Airmen from three squadrons against each other to determine the finest weapons load team at the Keystone of the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

Airmen assigned to the 356th Fighter Generation Squadron are congratulated on their victory during a quarterly weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17, 2023. Kadena’s aircraft weapons load teams face off quarterly to test the skill and professionalism of Kadena Airmen while building camaraderie among the base’s diverse team of aircraft maintainers. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Kadena weapon loaders face off

Published Nov. 21, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth, Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --