Maintenance Airmen lock and load B-1 in exercise

Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Shaver, 36th Wing weapons manager, briefs load crews before a loading exercise Sept. 29, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. LOADEX is a weapons loading exercise where Airmen fine-tune their loading capabilities monthly. The B-1B Lancer aircrews are currently deployed here in support of the Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)

Maintenance Airmen lock and load B-1 in exercise

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Douglas, 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load team chief, inserts a securing bar into a munition casket base during a munitions loading exercise Sept. 29, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. LOADEX is a weapons loading exercise where Airmen fine-tune their loading capabilities monthly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)

Maintenance Airmen lock and load B-1 in exercise

A 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit loading crew guides a training AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile into the weapons bay of a B-1 Lancer as evaluators monitor the exercise during a loading exercise Sept. 29, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The Airmen loaded 12 training AGM-158 JASSMs into a B-1 as part of an exercise to test their ability to quickly and safely load the aircraft with munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)

Maintenance Airmen lock and load B-1 in exercise

A 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit loading crew transfers a training AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile into the weapons bay during a loading exercise Sept. 29, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. LOADEX is a weapons loading exercise where munitions Airmen fine-tune their loading capabilities monthly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)

Maintenance Airmen lock and load B-1 in exercise

Senior Airman Daniel Sorters, 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit load crew member, prepares to load a training AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile in a B-1B Lancer during a loading exercise held Sept. 29, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The Airmen loaded 12 training AGM-158 JASSMs into a B-1 as part of an exercise to test their ability to quickly and safely load the aircraft with munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson)

Maintenance Airmen lock and load B-1 in exercise

Published Oct. 10, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Alexa Ann Henderson
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

Airmen from the 34thExpeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit participated in a B-1B Lancer munitions loading exercise Sept. 29, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

LOADEX is held monthly at wings across the Air Force to maintain munition load crews knowledge and proficiency.

“LOADEX is a weapons loading exercise where we fine-tune our loading capabilities,” said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Shaver, 36th Wing weapons manager. “Every month, the load crews practice efficiency loading to become better prepared if the whistle ever goes off.”

During the training, 10 Airmen loaded 12 training AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles into a B-1 within hours as part of the exercise to test their ability to quickly and safely load the aircraft with munitions. The B-1 can carry up to 24 AGM-158 JASSMs.

“The exercise was effective and efficient this month, proving the Continuous Bomber Presence mission has not missed a beat in the transition from the B-52 Stratofortress to the B-1s,” said Senior Master Sgt. Justin Price, 34th EAMU weapons flight chief.

The 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron is currently deployed here in support of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence mission. Dating back to 2004, bombers have deployed here on a six-month rotation to support peace the in Pacific area of responsibility. The last time the B-1 was here was a decade ago. B-1s provide a significant rapid global strike capability that enables readiness and commitment to deterrence, offers assurance to U.S. allies and strengthens regional security and stability in the region.