Weapons troops are not cowboys during Loadeo

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christian Michael
  • William Tell Public Affairs
Despite what people may think, the Loadeo event does not feature an Airman wearing a cowboy hat, straddling an AIM-120 missile, ready for the ride of his life.

Loadeo is the weapons-loading competition taking place here during the 2004 William Tell air-to-air weapons meet.

“Loadeo is a competition made of two loading sets,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jim McMahon, a current Loadeo judge and a 1992 William Tell veteran. “(There is) one static load in which contestants load four AIM-9s and four AIM-120s in a time standard of 24 minutes. The second load is referred to as the ‘flightline load,’ which (comprises) six AIM-120s, two AIM-9s, 940 rounds of 20 mm target practice ammunition and chaff flares in 32 minutes.”

During William Tell, Loadeo accounts for 10 percent of a team’s overall average.

Some bases hold Loadeos once a quarter, said Staff Sgt. Daniel Weathersby, a weapons load crew chief with the Air Education and Training Command team. The winners of each quarter then compete against each other for a yearly competition to see who is the best.

“It’s good for morale,” he said.

Sergeant Weathersby’s team completed a static load exercise early Nov. 9.

“Our team could have been faster, but (it is) better to be slower and safe,” said Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Hammond, a weapons load crewmember with the AETC team.

“The main thing (judges) are looking for is that all competitors express professionalism in the way they carry out their jobs, comply with all written instructions and technical orders, and put on a great show in the most safe, expeditious manner possible,” said Chief McMahon, who has 26 years experience in the weapons loading career field. “Pressure causes mistakes. What judges hope to see is that they rebound, refocus and press on with the task at hand, which crews have done pretty well so far.

“What is hoped for out here is that competitors walk away having made a lot of new friends, are proud of representing their commands and have personal gratification for a job well done. It fosters ‘esprit de corps.’”

Sergeant Weathersby agreed with the chief. He mentioned the opportunity Airmen have to meet others across the Air Force. For example, he explained how if an Airman works hard here, people will remember who they are and the work they did.

“The chance to say you’ve been in William Tell is very prestigious ... it’s a prize of its own,” said Airman 1st Class Jason Barber, a weapons load crewmember assigned to the AETC team.

Loadeo may rhyme with rodeo, but these Airmen do not ride bucking broncos. They are defining and refining the current skills of the weapons load crew, and, maybe, earning a trophy while they do it.