A-10 Thunderbolt II load competition at Whiteman AFB

Today, 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs released the following pictures from an A-10 Thunderbolt II load competition held at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, June 13, 2009. The competition is designed to hone the loaders' skills in safely and quickly rearming an A-10 after a combat sortie.



Master Sgt. William Porterfield, weapons load crew chief, ensures his team's compliance with the technical order checklists. Sergeant Porterfield is an Air Force reservist in the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, part of the 442nd Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Wolf) Hi-res



Senior Airman Richard Fennewald attaches the guidance control unit to the laser-guided bomb. Airman Fennewald is an Air Force reservist in the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Wolf) Hi-res



Airman 1st Class Clinton Bowers positions an ammunition loading assembly. Airman Bowers is an Air Force reservist in the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, part of the 442nd Fighter Wing, based at Whiteman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Wolf) Hi-res



Right: Master Sgt. William Porterfield and Staff Sgt. Lincoln McCoy connect the ammunition loading assembly to an A-10 Thunderbolt II. Sergeants Porterfield and McCoy are Air Force reservists in the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Wolf) Hi-res



Left: Master Sgt. William Porterfield attaches the ammunition loading assembly to an A-10 Thunderbolt II. Sergeant Porterfield is an Air Force reservist in the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Wolf) Hi-res