Spangdahlem Air Base

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Members of the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron load a GBU-12 paramount onto an F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. This is the first time Spangdahlem has hosted an F-35 load crew during a Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Staff Sgt. Jake Charloff, 34th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons crew team chief, prepares to load a GBU-12 paramount onto an F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. Prior to the competition, load crews prepared composite tool kits for an inspection and completed a written examination, both elements were calculated into their final score. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Staff Sgt. Jake Charloff, 34th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons crew team chief, secures a GBU-12 paramount onto an F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. The crews were tasked to load an AIM-9X and an GBU-12 paramount. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Members of the 480th Fighter Squadron load a GBU-12 paramount onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. The competition trains Airmen to load the weapons onto the aircraft quickly and efficiently. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Airman 1st Class Matthew Taitingfong, 480th Fighter Squadron weapons crew member, and Staff Sgt. Kevin Gonzalez-Barba, 480th FS weapons crew team chief, secure a GBU-12 paramount onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. Unfortunately, Saber Nation fell short of the win in the first competition against an F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation aircraft weapons load crew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Senior Airman Kelsey Underhile, 34th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons crew member, prepares to load a GBU-12 paramount onto an F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. Monthly competitions provide an opportunity for load crews to earn their spot in the quarterly competitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Members of the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron pose for a photo after winning the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition against Saber Nation’s F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft weapons load crew at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. The crews loaded an AIM-9X and a GBU-12 paramount while being evaluated on safety, reliability, technical proficiency and time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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52nd MXG hosts Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter Competition

Published April 20, 2022
By A1C Jessica Sanchez-Chen
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron load a GBU-12 paramount onto an F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2022. This is the first time Spangdahlem has hosted an F-35 load crew during a Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen)