An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Reinforce stability in the ROK: Load Crew Competition enhances readiness

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  This is the ninth in a series of articles relating an overview of the mission at Osan Air Base. The major role Team Osan plays in the Republic of Korea and the extent of its mission will be showcased this week in the way Team Osan's Airmen "reinforce stability in the ROK". Next week, there will be a wrap-up article and accompanying video summing up the four principles and how they're accomplished to keep the mission running here.

Stability can be a multi-faceted abode. In the preceding article of this series, we wrote about the way Team Osan contributes to the stability of the Republic of Korea by investing in permanent quality of life facilities on base. And while the amalgamation of improved facilities and diversified on and off-duty establishments have been key for Osan Air Base's evolution from "remote" assignment to a base with accompanied-tour options, the role Airmen play in their day to day job is what  contributes to the readiness of the base, allowing the hard-earned stability to cement. In essence, for stability, each hand of Team Osan cleans the other. The quality of life facilities are borne out of the day to day operations executed by the men and women of Team Osan.

Among the most heightened examples of Airmen practicing readiness is the quarterly load crew competitions held on base. On Feb. 6, 2015, two teams from 25th and 36th Aircraft Maintenance Units competed for the title of best local weapons load crew. The 36th AMU won the contest, earning the right to be called the best load crew at Osan.

"This is what I like to call the final 10 yards of our readiness," said Col. Brook Leonard, 51st Fighter Wing commander, at the event. "We have a lot of important support functions on this base, but this, in effect, is our Superbowl. If it wasn't for what you and your respective AMUs do, the 51st Fighter Wing wouldn't even be here in the Republic of Korea."

Representing the 25th AMU was:

Airman 1st Class Dylan Queen

Senior Airman William Howell

Staff Sgt. Kenneth Redman

Representing the 36th AMU was:

Senior Airmen Luke Dubela

Senior Airman Theresa Nowak

Staff Sgt. Joshua Kidd

During the competition, the teams were tested on their capabilities in loading 2 missiles onto their respective aircraft. The 25th AMU loaded their munitions onto an A-10, while the 36th prepared an F-16. The teams were given a time-limit of 34 minutes, but each finished earlier.

Grades were recorded for each team in the following areas: safety, reliability, technical proficiency and timeliness.

These contests are conducted every quarter to give load crew members a chance to exercise their competitive spirits and testing their preparation to conduct a very serious real-world duty. Ultimately, the load crew competition is about honing readiness and preserving stability.

"This is for pride and bragging rights, but it's also why we're here," said Leonard.

That concludes our coverage on how Team Osan reinforces stability in the ROK through mission and quality of life enhancement. Next week we will publish a mission wrap up article and press on the following week by beginning coverage on the 51st FW command priorities.