Holloman load crews head to Cannon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Two weapons load crew teams showcased a load demonstration here June 4 to show what they would be doing at the Pioneer Air Festival at Cannon Air Force Base June 7 and 8. 

The Pioneer Air Festival is an annual event in the Cannon AFB and Clovis, N.M., communities and is one of the three events taking place in New Mexico this year in honor of the Air Force's 60th birthday. 

In addition to the Pioneer Air Festival, Kirtland Air Force Base will host the Air Force Ball and Holloman is hosting an air and space show Oct. 26 through 28. 

The Pioneer Air Festival will showcase not only the weapons loading competition, but all capabilities 12th Air Force encompasses, said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Snyder, 49 MXG. 

"Our load crews have been training for the past two week, 12 hours a day," said Tech. Sgt. Kirtis Fisher, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. The teams have brought their load times from 24 to 13 minutes by driving each other to do better. 

While at Cannon AFB, the teams will be wearing desert camouflage uniforms in order to stand out against the black F-117A Nighthawk, said Chief Snyder. "We are going as a class act and are going to be different." 

The DCUs were graciously put together by the 49th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment section, said the chief.

Also for the show, the teams had the jammers, their bomb-lift trucks, and the -60 power unit painted black thanks to the 49th Maintenance Squadron Aircraft structural Maintenance Corrosion Control section.

"We wanted to go the extra effort and go in style," said the chief. 

The more than 20 hand-picked Airman will leave Holloman June 6 and will return June 9.