Reserve team wins JBER F-22 Load Crew of the Year

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Dana Rosso
  • 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Three Reservists from the 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron were recently awarded the 2012 JBER F-22 Load Crew of the Year during a ceremony here May 17.

Tech. Sgt. Timothy Tuttle, the team's lead weapons loader along with Staff Sgt. Brandon Vice and Senior Airman Joshua Baker were selected as the top F-22 load crew out of the 28 certified load crews assigned here.

This is the first time that a crew comprised of three Air Force Reserve members has won the JBER F-22 Load Crew of the Year. Tuttle, and Vice are both full time Air Reserve
Technicians working each day alongside the 3rd Wing load crews. Baker is a traditional reservist who fulfills his Reserve commitment one weekend a month and two weeks a year. When not performing military duties Baker works as an office manager at Full Spectrum Pediatrics in Anchorage.

While weapons loaders perform numerous aircraft loads throughout the year on several different types of aircraft munitions to stay proficient the quarterly and annual load competitions provide an opportunity to show off their loading skills.

"Each crew is evaluated on an open ranks Air Force Instruction 36-2903 inspection," said Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Dorsey, 477th AMXS weapons standardization superintendent. "A consolidated tool kit inspection, a written test covering maintenance and explosive safety as well as the evaluated munitions load which is selected by the wing weapons manager."

The overall score is based on the crews efficiency, safety and reliability of the load as well as the other evaluated components.

"I am proud to be the team lead of this three man crew," said Tuttle. "We have been able to work together and build a strong team I am very happy with what we have accomplished."