Load crews crucial to sortie regeneration

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman Cody Jurgensmeyer prepares to attach a GBU-12 munition to the conformal fuel tank rack on an F-15E Strike Eagle here June 8, 2010. During the Phase I Operational Readiness Exercise, aircraft generated for deployment flew a normal sortie, and were sent to a separate area of the parking ramp to simulate arrival at a deployed location. As part of the regeneration effort, Airman Jurgensmeyer led a three-person load team to quickly arm the aircraft for its next sortie. Airman Jurgensmeyer, a load crew team chief from the 334th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, hails from Montrose, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Matt Schroff)

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Load crews crucial to sortie regeneration

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airman 1st Class Mathew Schmid checks a GBU-12 hanging underneath an F-15E Strike Eagle during a Phase I Operational Readiness Exercise here June 8, 2010. The aircraft, assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron, was one of more than a dozen that passed the Exercise Evaluation Team's comprehensive inspection with no significant write-ups during the initial phases of the ORE. Airman Schmid, a load crew member assigned to the 334th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, hails from Lincoln, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Matt Schroff)

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman John Klinedinst uses a MJ-1B "Jammer" to position a BDU-50 munition into place for Senior Airman Cody Jurgensmeyer as part of a Phase I Operational Readiness Exercise here June 8, 2010. Weapons loading requires a high level of situational awareness, precise communication between team members and a steady hand on the hydraulic controls used to accurately position munitions. Airman Klinedinst, load crew member, is from Phoenix and Airman Jurgensmeyer, load crew team chief, hails from Montrose, Mo. Both Airmen are assigned to the 334th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Matt Schroff)

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Load crews crucial to sortie regeneration

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Senior Airman John Klinedinst operates an MJ-1B "Jammer" to ensure proper placement of a GBU-12 beneath an F-15E Strike Eagle during a Phase I Operational Readiness Exercise here June 8, 2010. The Jammer's hydraulic controls allow Airmen to raise a variety of munitions to the proper position for attachment to the underside of an aircraft. Airman Klinedinst, a load crew member from the 334th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, is from Phoenix. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Matt Schroff)

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Load crews crucial to sortie regeneration

Published June 10, 2010
By 1st Lt. Matt Schroff
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- As part of the 4th Fighter Wing's Phase I Operational Readiness Exercise, load teams from the various aircraft maintenance units were tasked with arming F-15E Strike Eagles for combat, while adhering to a strict timetable. For the ORE, Airmen must generate a specific number of aircraft for aircrews to fly a normal sortie in the local area. Upon returning to the base, aircraft taxi to a separate area of the parking ramp to simulate arrival at a deployed location. Maintainers at this "deployed" location must perform expedited, yet accurate post-flight checks and servicing to ensure aircraft remain combat-ready.

Working around the clock, weapons load crews directly contribute to this mission by keeping Seymour's fleet of F-15s armed and ready for any contingency, whether it be an exercise or real-world tasking.