(From left) Staff Sgt. Benjamin Angley, Senior Airmen Carleton Kennedy and Jackie Sanders load a missile onto an aircraft during a quarterly loading competition at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Aircraft maintenance units train consistently to be proficient at their jobs and quarterly loading competitions help evaluate their proficiency. The load crew members are assigned to the 555th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (Courtesy photo/ Megan Sanders)
(From left) Senior Airmen Carleton Kennedy, Jackie Sanders and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Angley review a checklist during a quarterly loading competition at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The crew recently earned the title of United States Air Forces in Europe Load Crew of the Year for 2012. Their overall score was based on their efficiency, safety and timeliness. The load crew members are assigned to the 555th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (Courtesy photo/ Megan Sanders)
by Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
5/2/2013 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Three Airmen from the 555th Aircraft Maintenance Unit were recently awarded the United States Air Forces in Europe Load Crew of the Year for 2012.
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Angley, weapons load crew chief, and Senior Airmen Carleton Kennedy and Jackie Sanders, weapons load crew members, knocked out 31 teams at Aviano and three teams at the MAJCOM to earn the award.
"It was an awesome feeling knowing that we won a USAFE-level award," said Kennedy. "Teamwork was a big factor in winning this award. You have to pretty much be on the same level with everyone and know what the other people on your crew are thinking."
Aircraft maintenance units train consistently to be proficient at their jobs and to compete in quarterly loading competitions. The job requires knowledge of loading many different aircraft and ammunition.
"The trust I have in my crew was a big advantage," said Angley, who is responsible for ensuring his load crew members are trained properly to keep the mission running smoothly. "Teamwork is one of the most important aspects of a load competition. We worked hard throughout the year and I had all the faith in them knowing what they were doing."
Their overall score was based on their efficiency, safety and timeliness. Tool accountability and serviceability were also kept in check through a composite tool kit inspection. Airmen were not only tested on their response to discrepancies and attention to detail, but were also inspected on their uniforms and appearance as well.
"Each member of our load crew is dedicated and very detail-oriented," said Sanders. "With that being said, it all comes down to repetition and attention to detail. Over the past year we have accomplished a lot as a crew, as well as loaded plenty of missiles. That prepared us for this win."
The load crews' scores from each base were then evaluated by a group of judges at USAFE to determine the winner for Load Crew of the Year for 2012.
"This crew was the top-rated crew of the year," said Senior Master Sgt. Donald Corriere, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 55th AMU weapons section superintendent. "They had the greatest overall score and individual statistics. I couldn't be prouder of the work they accomplished."
