Wolf Pack, ROKAF participate in weapons loading competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  Airmen from the Republic of Korea Air Force were victorious while competing against Airmen from 8th Fighter Wing during a weapon's load competition Saturday here. 

Weapons personnel from the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 80th AMU, 38th Maintenance Squadron and the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base Italy, put their skills to the test not only as part of a competition, but to receive job training. The 38th Maintenance Squadron is part of the 38th Fighter Group of the ROKAF.
"Nobody really knows what weapons Airmen do," said Chief Master Sgt. William McElligott, 8th Maintenance Group wing weapons manager. "We provide combat capability to the 8th Fighter Wing here." 

The chief explained that within the wing here, various specialties bring something different to the F-16s. 

"One community enables the F-16 to be a very capable airframe, another community provides the munitions, we turn F-16s into a weapon," he said. 

Chief McElligott said the weapons Airmen train on a monthly basis. 

The ROKAF usually participates in a load competition with the 38th FG, said 1st Lt. Kim Younjun, 38th Weapons Company officer-in-charge, but this is the first time the ROKAF has participated in a weapons loading competition with the 8th FW. 

Each team comprised of three people. Typically the ROKAF procedures require the use of four people for a weapons load. However, the ROKAF spent time learning the procedures of their U.S. counterparts. They reduced their team to three members in order to be able to compete. 

"It was incredible that they were willing to take the time to learn our capabilities," Chief McElligott said. 

Lieutenant Kim said the joint event was a great way to strengthen ties between the two groups. 

"The purpose of this event is to promote mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the U.S. Air Force and ROKAF," said Lieutenant Kim "We are operating the same weapons systems here so we need to keep a close relationship of combined operations for enhancement." 

During the competition the Airmen were graded on safety, reliability and effectiveness, Chief McElligott said. The chief said being fast doesn't necessarily mean a team would win. 

Each team was responsible for loading the Mk82 500 pound bomb and AIM 9 short-range missile. The teams were given a specific amount of time and all started out with the maximum amount of points. For each discrepancy, teams were penalized points. Once the teams completed the loads, four judges from across the participating units evaluated each crew to ensure fairness. 

Other Airmen who participated enjoyed the opportunity for camaraderie the joint competition brought. 

"Participating in this competition was a lot of fun," said Airman 1st Class Stephanie Whitt, 555th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems apprentice. "This was my first competition. It was pretty crazy practicing and getting ready for everything, but being out there and doing this in front of everyone and hearing everyone routing for not only us, but the other teams as well was really cool." 

At the end of it all, it was the ROKAF members who won the competition with a perfect score of 3,000 points. 

"We heard they (ROKAF) were fast and good," Airman Whitt said. "They definitely did a good job out there. You normally wouldn't see different countries participating in events like this. This helps to bring everyone together and have a good time while receiving training at the same time." 

Chief McElligott said an event such as this competition is crucial to weapons Airmen. 

"Weapons Airmen have to maintain proficiency. You have to be ready to go to war," he said. "Imagine if we didn't train."