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Lynch, Ellis, Perry Win Weapons Load-eo

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Dan Heaton
  • 127th Wing Public Affairs
The weapons load team of Staff Sgt. Robert Lynch, Senior Airman Daniel Ellis and Senior Airman Gabriel Perry will be parking closest to the door in 2014.

The three Airmen won the annual 127th Maintenance Group Weapons Load-eo, which comes not only with bragging rights but with a cherished parking spot near the door of their work center. During the load-eo event, traditionally held in December, weapons load teams are tasked with loading a variety of munitions on to an A-10 Thunderbolt II. The teams are graded for their technical proficiency, adherence to safety standards and for time. A uniform inspection is also factored into the score.

Master Sgt. James Richards, weapons standardization superintendent, said the competition not only encourages operational excellence and teamwork for the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons teams, but it boosts morale through the friendly competition.

The other two finalist teams in the competition were comprised of Technical Sgt. Lucky Foate, Airman 1st Class Lee Lazarecky and Senior Airman Shawn Denney; and the team of Staff Sgt. Anthony Barnabe and Airmen 1st Class Anton Nuculaj and Tanner Ban. Judging the competition were Master Sgt. Andrew Amala and Technical Sgts. Tim Huhtasaari and Andrew Maurer, all members of the squadron's standardization element. All of the Airmen work under the supervision of Chief Master Sgt. James Thomson, weapons manager for the 127th Wing.

Comprised of approximately 1,700 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operation Command by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marked its 96th year of continuous military air operations in 2013.