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Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

The 7th Maintenance Group held the 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 28th and 9th Aircraft Maintenance Units and the 7th Munitions Squadron competed against each other. This challenge was a friendly bomb-building and loading competition that focused on the speed, accuracy and safety of the loads. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman River Bruce)

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 7th Munitions Squadron build a guided bomb unit during the 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. The 7th MUNS provided two teams to support the 9th and 28th Aircraft Maintenance Units as they competed against each other. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman River Bruce)

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 7th Munitions Squadron prepare to build a guided bomb unit during the 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. The GBU is a form of joint direct attack munition that can weigh up to 558 pounds when live. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman River Bruce)

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brittany Jones, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Unit load crew member, inspects guided bomb units during the 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. Jones was one of four load crew members that represented the 9th AMU. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman River Bruce)

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alex Philipps, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Unit load crew member, prepares the weapons bay of a B-1B Lancer during the 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. The three weapon bays in the B-1 can hold up to 48,000 pounds of munitions at full capacity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman River Bruce)

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 7th Munitions Squadron use a forklift to load a guided bomb unit during the 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. Airman competing in the DSC were evaluated based on their loading speed and safety procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mercedes Porter)

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load bombs into the B-1B Lancer during the Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. The winner will be announced at the Maintenance Professional of the Year event on March 9. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kylee Thomas)

Load crews compete in 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron competed in the Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 2, 2018. The event included a bomb-building and loading competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kylee Thomas)

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Airmen, family members and friends came out to support Airmen assigned to the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 7th Munitions Squadron who competed in the 2018 Annual Dyess Strike Challenge at the 3-Bay hangar, March 2.

The competitors were compiled of load crew members from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Unit that went head to head with their counterparts from the 28th AMU in a B-1B Lancer loading competition.

The 7th MUNS provided two teams to build bombs for the 9th and 28th AMUs.

The two load crews had four-person teams that loaded munitions into the B1-B Lancer as quickly and safely as possible.  

They were evaluated by subject-matter experts in the munitions career field.

“This was an opportunity for Airmen to showcase their skills they use on a daily basis,” said Col. Jeffrey Russell, 7th Maintenance Group commander. “These competitions directly reflect our role in the mission.”

Dyess holds these types of challenges quarterly as well as annually.

“The DSC highlighted our support of the B-1 mission,” said Chief Master Sgt. Wendell Pugh, 7th MXG superintendent. “It showcased the building and loading of munition. The step that wasn’t included was the pilots taking off with that payload. It’s what we do.”

The winners of the DSC will be announced at the Maintenance Professional of the Year Banquet March 9.