Kirtland Air Force Base

Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Senior Airman Brandon Barber, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team member, grabs a grease gun during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. Before the competition begins, the team must ensure that the grease guns are loaded with as much grease as possible and the tool is functioning properly in order to attach the munition to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Staff Sgt. Adolfo Trujillo, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, installs a fitting to a B-52 Stratofortress forward buffet fairing during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The forward buffet fairing assists with the aerodynamics of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Senior Airman David Hansen, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team member, operates a power control unit during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. Prior to raising an MHU-196 weapon trailer, Hansen ensured the munition was lined-up correctly to connect the munition to a B-52 Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

A member of the 2nd Maintenance Group loading standardization crew observes Senior Airman David Hansen, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team member, operate a power control unit during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The PCU is a remote that controls movement for the MHU-196 weapon trailer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Weapons load crew team members from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit open access panels to prep a pylon during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The Airmen loaded a munition onto the pylon during their competition performance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Weapons load crew team members from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, inspect a B-52 Stratofortress before competing in the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. Teams needed to ensure that the aircraft didn’t have any discrepancies that could prevent the crew from loading munitions on the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

The 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team waits for the timer to start before competing in the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. One crew from the 96th AMU and 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit were selected to participate based on their quarterly weapons loading evaluation stats and stellar aircraft maintenance actions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Weapons load crew team members from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit prep an MHU-196 trailer for loading during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The trailer safely transports munitions such as the AGM-86B, a nuclear training munition, to and from aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Senior Airman Jordan Flemister, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team member, attaches a ladder to an MHU-196 trailer during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The trailer safely transports munitions such as the AGM-86/B, a nuclear training munition, to and from aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Weapons load crew team members from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit remove the tow bar from an MHU-196 trailer during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The tow bar is required when moving the trailer to and from aircraft; once the tow bar is removed team members use a power control unit to maneuver the trailer into place. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Loading standardization crew members brief the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team on rules and regulations before the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The competition was based on a point system, each team began with 1,000 points and then were scored on dress and appearance, a B-52 Stratofortress weapon system and air munitions test, equipment inspection, and weapons loading technical operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

A weapons load crew team member from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit loads a grease gun before participating in the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. Crew members used the grease guns when connecting the pylon package to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Weapons load crew team members from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit gather tools before participating in the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. This team previously won weapons load crew of the quarter, and now competed for the title of top weapons load crew of the year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Airmen competing in a weapons load competition use grease guns to extend pylon wing adaptor pins by pumping grease through ports when attaching munitions to aircraft at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 22, 2016. Weapons load crew teams must ensure that the grease guns are loaded with as much grease as possible and the tool is functioning properly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Weapons load crew team members from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit line up a pylon loaded with an AGM-86B nuclear training munition, to the pylon wing adaptor during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 22, 2016. It is important to line-up the pylon perfectly before mating it with the PWA. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

A weapons load crew team member from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit ensures that a pylon loaded with an AGM-86B nuclear training munition is in line with the aircraft before loading the munition during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 22, 2016. Prior to raising the MHU-196 trailer the crew member ensures that the munition is lined-up correctly with the aircraft, allowing him to make as few movements as possible when connecting the munition to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

A weapons load crew team member from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit removes a fitting from a pylon loaded with an AGM-86B nuclear training munition during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 22, 2016. By removing the fitting the crew can attach the munition to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

A member of 2nd Maintenance Group loading standardization crew observes weapons load crew team members from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit while they open access panels during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The Airmen loaded a munition onto the pylon during their competition performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Airman 1st Class Pio Carranti, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team member, positions an adjustable leaning board during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 22, 2016. The leaning boards gave the crew a working platform for loading munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Tech. Sgt. Rafael Linero, 2nd Maintenance Group loading standardization crew member, makes notes while evaluating the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 22, 2016. The competition was based on a point system, each team began with 1,000 points and then were scored on dress and appearance, a B-52 Stratofortress weapons system and air munitions test, equipment inspection, and weapons loading technical operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Members of the 2nd Maintenance Group loading standardization crew evaluate weapons load crew team members from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit while they install a forward buffet fairing during the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 21, 2016. The competition was based on a point system, each team began with 1,000 points and then were scored on dress and appearance, a B-52 weapons system and air munitions test, equipment inspection, and weapons loading technical operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

The stop switch is on the MHU-196 weapon trailer Airmen use as a safety measure during a weapons load completion at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Jan. 22, 2016. When in use, two crew members monitor clearances while a third member operates a power control unit. If the members identify a safety concern while moving the trailer, they can use the stop switch to terminate power to the trailer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Staff Sgt. Felix Passmore, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, briefs his crew before participating in the weapons load finals at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 22, 2016. This team previously won weapons load crew of the quarter, and now competed for the title of top weapons load crew of the year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amanda Morris)

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Weapons load crews face-off in annual championship finals

Published Jan. 28, 2016
By Senior Airman Amanda Morris
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --