7 MXG holds annual load crew competition

  • Published
  • By Airman Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 7th Maintenance Group held their annual load crew competition here March 9.

The competition featured two load crew teams, consisting of four Airmen on each team loading B-1 Bombers with a dummy bomb, competing against one another for load crew of the year.

"This year's competition was even more special," said Senior Master Sgt. Raymond Lapham, 7th Maintenance Group weapons standardization superintendent. "One of our teams competing today had just recently returned from a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom."

The competition consisted of a written test, uniform inspection, physical training test and an evaluation of a weapon being loaded safely and in a timely manner.

"These Airmen represented Dyess very well today," said Sergeant Lapham. "This competition is camaraderie to the core."

There are no prizes given for the winner of this competition. Airmen compete for the sole purpose to say they are Dyess' best.

"This is a big thing for the weapons shop," said Staff Sgt. Jamar Hugie, 7 MXG armament systems journeyman. "It's bragging rights for the whole year, so it definitely makes the competition very competitive."

The load crew members also go through monthly checks as well as compete in quarterly competitions to keep their skills sharp.

"Competitions like these are fun," Sergeant Lapham said. "More importantly, they help prepare the Airmen for their real job, which is taking the fight to the enemy."

The 7th Bomb Wing walked away with five of 14 trophies in last year's first-ever Global Strike Challenge. The seven-month long competition is set to begin again in April.