Kunsan hosts peninsula-wide weapons load competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  Officials from the 8th Fighter Wing hosted a peninsula-wide weapons load competition May 10 at Kunsan Air Base. 

A South Korean air force team and American teams competed in the event as members of the 35th Fighter Squadron from Kunsan AB swept the competition. 

Other teams competing were from the 35th and 80th Aircraft Maintenance Units here, the 36th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and the South Korean air force's 38th Maintenance Squadron. 

"(The competition) was awesome. I had no doubts we were going to take it all the way," said Senior Airman Russell Dosart, a 35th AMU weapons load crewmember.
The venue for the event rotates between Kunsan and Osan air bases. Not only does the competition foster friendly rivalries between units, but also it allows the units to train together. 

"The U.S. Air Force and (South Korean air force) operation systems are a little different," said Tech. Sgt. Cho Seung-He, a 38th MXS weapons load team leader. "This training helps us to unify the two systems." 

The event is a loading competition you won't see anywhere else, said Senior Master Sgt. Eric McGowan, the 8th FW Weapons manager. 

"It's fellowship. It's friendship. It's forever," he said. "I know I can leave here today and come back a year later and see these people again and we will still have strong relationships." 

Airman Dosart said the competition was a big morale booster. 

"It's exciting to compete with one another, but especially with the (South Korean air force). They're great competitors," he said. "They know when to bring it." 

The weapons load competitions are held in order for weapons Airmen to maintain proficiency. 

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