Weapon loaders compete for last time on F-117

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jamal Sutter
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (ACCNS) --  The final F-117A Weapons Load Crew of the Year Competition gave an audience one last chance to witness Nighthawk load crews in action on Jan. 18. The competition placed 2006's quarterly winners against each other to determine which crew is the best of the year.

The competition consists of a consolidated tool kit inspection, a written examination, an AFI 36-2903 dress and appearance inspection and the actual loading of the munitions.

The Weapons Load Crew of the Year Competition is designed to provide morale, build camaraderie and foster teamwork, said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Snyder, 49th Fighter Wing weapons manager.

"The load competition was probably developed for bragging rights," he said.

Ironically, the winners of this year's event will have bragging rights to be matched by no one.

"The winner of this year's event will get to say they were the last and one of the best ever to load the F-117A," Chief Snyder said. 

"It's a privilege and an honor to be here," said Senior Airman Gino Colombari, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I'm glad to represent the weapons community for the last time."

Airman Colombari, who participated in the competition, qualified by winning the 2006 second quarter competition and showed displeasure in doing away with the Nighthawk, but was enthusiastic about Holloman's future.

"It's sad to see the F-117A go," he said. "But I am really excited to see the F-22 show up and what challenges it will present."

Once the F-117A is fully retired, Holloman will not maintain certified load crews and will no longer have the ability to host loading competitions, Chief Snyder said.

"The plans for the F-22A loading competitions could be similar to the current program," Chief Snyder added. "The wing will not have certified weapons load crews ready to load the F-22A until April or May 2009, depending on the timeline for the arrival of the F-22A. This could mean a weapons loading competition may not take place again on Holloman until late 2009."

"In the past years, we've always expected to go into the next year able to start fresh and shoot for bragging rights," said the chief. "Well, this year there is no next year for the F-117."

The winning crew will be announced during the Maintenance Group Maintenance Professional of the Year Banquet, which is scheduled for March.