MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 13th and 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit competed in the annual weapons load crew competition here, Jan. 8.

The two teams, composed of three Airmen, raced against the clock, and each other, to arm an F-16 Fighting Falcon with one AIM-9 Sidewinder, a short-range air-to-air missile, one AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile and a Joint Direct Attack Munition GBU 31 (v) 3/B. Both quality and speed were judged by weapons standardization Airmen from the 35th Maintenance Group during the competition.

Although the 13th AMU team finished first, both load crew competitors are graded on four categories: loading munitions, a test assessment, dress and appearance and a composite tool inspection. The team with the fewest discrepancies will be crowned the winner at this year's Military Professional of the Year ceremony being held sometime in March or April.