ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- 48th Munitions Squadron Airmen conducted training here, Jan. 23, to prepare for the upcoming Air Force Combat Operations Competition.
AFCOCOMP is an annual munitions-building competition designed to test participants on all of the aspects used by ammo personnel in wartime operations.
RAF Lakenheath is one of three bases in U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces in Africa competing and will be judged on three main aspects: building and loading preparedness, safety and time.
“This is RAF Lakenheath’s first time participating in this event and we’re hoping to have the honor of representing U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces in Africa,” said Master Sgt. Brian Shoemaker, 48th MUNS assistant production flight chief.
Shoemaker said it provides a training opportunity for noncommissioned officers and Airmen they don’t normally get during day-to-day operations.
Participants were hand-selected by section noncommissioned officers in charge and shop chiefs to represent the squadron and, potentially, USAFE-AFAFRICA.
Airman 1st Class Cody Roach, 48th MUNS specialist, said it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to work and learn from Airmen who have so much experience.
“It’s definitely enlightening because I’m gaining experience from all these Airmen, and it really opens my eyes,” said Roach.
According to Roach, it gives the 48th MUNS Airmen a chance to prove they are combat capable, and to assess how mission-ready they are as a team.
“These guys have been working every day so they’re ready to go,” said Shoemaker.
A team from USAFE-AFAFRICA headquarters will evaluate the 48th MUNS teams here on Feb. 6th.
The squadron that wins the command competition will get the opportunity to compete against Air Force wide teams and represent USAFE-AFAFRICA during AFCOCOMP at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., in May.