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AFRC News

Maintainers face off during weapons load competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erica Webster
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Reserve and active-duty maintainers from the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings went head-to-head during an F-35 weapons load competition here Sept. 24, 2021. During the timed and graded competition, maintainers put their training to the test and proved their combat readiness. The three-person teams were responsible for preparing and loading unarmed AIM-9X missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II bombs onto F-35A Lightning II aircraft. The quarterly competition focuses on speed, accuracy, and safety, ensuring standard loading procedures and proficiency across the wings.

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)