By Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever , 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published January 12, 2021
Airman 1st Class Sarah C. Wilson, 31st Communication Squadron cybersecurity technician, left, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Reagan Brunner, 31st Maintenance Group, weapons standardization flight, squadron lead crew chief, center, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cory J. Schultz, 31st Communication Squadron surety systems, right, carry an AIM 9 Sidewinder at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Jan. 8, 2021. The Airmen from the 31st CS joined the 31st MXG, to learn about the daily tasks weapons troops accomplish. Airmen learned how to load different munitions onto a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
A GBU-38 trainer load build up is displayed during the first integrated Air Force specialty code loading day event at Aviano Air Base, Jan. 8, 2021. The event was intended to encourage other units to come out and experience life as a weapons troop for a day. Airmen learned how to load different munitions onto a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing participate in the first integrated Air Force specialty code loading day event at Aviano Air Base, Jan. 8, 2021. Four Airmen from the 31st Communication Squadron learned how to load an AIM 9 Sidewinder on a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Airmen from the 31st CS joined the 31st Maintenance Group, weapons standardization flight, and participated in a four part event which included, munitions familiarization, munition loading, and a MJ-1 bomb lift truck driving competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cory J. Schultz, 31st Communication Squadron surety systems technician, inspects the fuse of a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition at Aviano Air Base, Jan. 8, 2021. Schultz participated in the first integrated Air Force specialty code loading day event at Aviano. He was part of a crew load, which consisted of two members from the 31st CS and one member from the 31st Maintenance Group weapons standardization flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing participate in the first integrated Air Force specialty code loading day event at Aviano Air Base, Jan. 8, 2021. Four Airmen from the 31st Communication Squadron learned how to load an AIM 9 Sidewinder on a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon. This event provided an opportunity for Airmen from the 31st CS to step out of their career field and participate in a different dynamic of the 31st FW mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing participate in the first integrated Air Force specialty code loading day event at Aviano Air Base, Jan. 8, 2021. Four Airmen from the 31st Communication Squadron joined the 31st Maintenance Group, weapons standardization flight, to learn about the daily tasks weapons troops accomplish. The event began with informative briefings about different munitions, which are loaded on a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
Airman 1st Class Sarah C. Wilson, 31st Communication Squadron cybersecurity technician, drives an MJ-1 bomb lift truck at Aviano Air Base, Jan. 8, 2021. Wilson participated in the first integrated Air Force specialty code loading day event, where she gained first-hand experience on being a weapons troop. Wilson participated in a MJ-1 driving competition, where she had to precisely drive through the course without hitting the cones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever)
There was a chill in the air, but one could feel the excitement from the Airmen. Their faces indicated motivation and focus- they were ready to be weapon troops for the day.
Organizers chose who they felt were the most deserving participants because of their motivation, work ethic and desire to challenge themselves, said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Reagan Brunner, 31st Maintenance Group, weapons standardization flight, squadron lead crew chief.
The integrated AFSC loading day event consisted of four components. First, Airmen learned about the various munitions. The second portion gave each Airmen the opportunity to load different munitions onto a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon.
A load crew consist of three members, and each crew had two members from the 31st Communication Squadron and one member from the weapons standardization flight.
They then participated in a MJ-1bomb lift truck driving competition, where crews had to precisely drive through a course with the quickest time. The event ended with Airmen learning about the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon cockpit.
“The length of each portion of this event was dependent upon the adaptability of the individual, said Brunner.
Brunner said this event is important to the 31st Fighter Wing because it allows different AFSCs the opportunity to step out of their career field and participate in a different dynamic of the mission.
“The event is supposed to be a fun way of letting other AFSCs check out and do some of the things weapons troops conduct on a daily basis,” said Brunner.
Airman 1st Class Sarah C. Wilson, 31st CS cybersecurity technician, explained her favorite part was getting a hands-on experience with learning what other people do on base.
“Every part [was my favorite], but especially the [MJ-1] obstacle course,” said Wilson.
Brunner hopes the event will also encourage other shops to come out and experience life as a weapons troop.
“The point of this event is to show other AFSCs the end product of their unwavering hard work,” said Brunner. “I believe getting involved in such an event will allow other AFSCs to see what they directly support. We are more than willing to host these events in the future for anyone.”