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Payload Showdown: 378th AEW hosts CENTCOM’s largest load comp

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron and 79th EFGS debrief with each other and evaluators after a load competition within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20, 2025. Load competitions are fueled by squadron pride and friendly rivalry, although only one team is declared the winner, weapons load crews improve the lethality of the Air Force as a whole by exchanging skills, experience and tactics to enhance performance of all weapons members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Payload Showdown: 378th AEW hosts CENTCOM’s largest load comp

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron load an AIM-120, while evaluators watch their performance during a load competition within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20, 2025. Evaluators are Weapons Standardization members who are highly trained to scrutinize every action and detail of the load crews’ work. The evaluators annotate infractions, which are then tallied and combined with the time it took to complete the loadout, to ultimately determine a winning team. Speed and precision are crucial components crews need to load successful configurations used to generate air power for combat operations around the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Payload Showdown: 378th AEW hosts CENTCOM’s largest load comp

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Putreal Morgan, 79th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, attaches fins to an AIM-120 during a load competition within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20, 2025. The competition showcased the speed, agility, and operational readiness weapons load crews need to complete time sensitive mission configurations with precision in support of real world combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Payload Showdown: 378th AEW hosts CENTCOM’s largest load comp

U.S. Air Force Joemari Lamorena, 79th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew chief, guides an AIM-120 onto a LAU-129 during a load competition within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20, 2025. Teams from the competing squadrons work in three-man units to load munition systems, verify the load checklist, and ensure the racks the munitions mount to function properly, demonstrating the teamwork, skill and accuracy crews need to generate air power in support of CENTCOM objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Payload Showdown: 378th AEW hosts CENTCOM’s largest load comp

From left, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Adrion Hurd, 55th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, and Staff Sgt. Oscar Fernández, 55th EFGS weapons load crew chief, guide an AIM-120 into place during a load competition within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20, 2025. All competing crews completed the configuration in less than half the time allotted by the Air Force Instruction, demonstrating the job expertise and skill of weapons crews members and their ability to rapidly generate various configurations in a moment’s notice within a dynamic threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Payload Showdown: 378th AEW hosts CENTCOM’s largest load comp

U.S. Air Force Airmen transport an AIM-120 to load onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a load competition within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20, 2025. The AIM-120 is a battle proven air-to-air missile with all-weather and beyond visual range capabilities, that uses an active radar to guide it to the intended target. Weapons load crew members are experts in loading a variety of munition system configurations, enabling the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing to generate air power that continues to dominate the battlespace amidst new threats with innovative weaponry. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Payload Showdown: 378th AEW hosts CENTCOM’s largest load comp

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Logan Millman, Staff Sgt. William Taylor and Senior Airman Dimitri Rojas, all weapons load crew members assigned to the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron, take a moment to compose their thoughts and prepare before facing off in a load competition within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 20, 2025. Load competitions are fueled by squadron pride and friendly rivalry, although only one team is declared the winner, weapons load crews improve the lethality of the Air Force as a whole by exchanging skills, experience and tactics to enhance performance of all weapons members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Rest, Reset, Repeat: Team Phoenix unveils new MWR facility

U.S. Airmen dance during a grand opening celebration for a newly constructed morale, welfare and recreation pre-engineered building within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 18, 2025. The MWR PEB directly supports mission effectiveness, ensuring service members assigned to the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing remain resilient, focused and ready to execute operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)
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Rest, Reset, Repeat: Team Phoenix unveils new MWR facility

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Marcelo Vendetti, 378th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather journeyman, plays ping pong during the grand opening of a newly constructed morale, welfare and recreation pre-engineered building within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 18, 2025. The 378th Air Expeditionary Wing MWR PEB delivers quality-of-life improvements for the deployed force. These resources are essential to sustaining operational effectiveness and reinforcing the U.S. Air Forces Central Command mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)
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Rest, Reset, Repeat: Team Phoenix unveils new MWR facility

U.S. service members attend a grand opening celebration for a newly constructed morale, welfare and recreation pre-engineered building within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 18, 2025. Maintaining high morale is critical to sustaining combat readiness and enabling U.S. service members to execute the mission anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)
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Rest, Reset, Repeat: Team Phoenix unveils new MWR facility

From left, U.S. Air Force Maj. Brandon Kido, 378th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron commander, Lt. Col. Scott Eklund, 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron commander, Col. Christopher Bryant, 378th Expeditionary Air Base Group commander, and Lt. Col. Shannan Carter, 378th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander, participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony of a new morale, welfare and recreation pre-engineered building within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 9, 2025. Offering recreational opportunities and a space for service members to relax, the MWR PEB strengthens morale across the deployed force, sustaining combat readiness and reinforcing the U.S. Air Forces Central mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bethany La Ville)
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Rest, Reset, Repeat: Team Phoenix unveils new MWR facility

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Eklund, 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron commander, presents opening remarks during a ribbon cutting ceremony of a new morale, welfare and recreation pre-engineered building within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 9, 2025. The MWR PEB directly supports mission effectiveness, ensuring service members assigned to the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing remain resilient, focused and ready to execute operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bethany La Ville)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Antonio Mendoza, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament floor supervisor, uses a hand crank to conduct an operations check on a Universal Ammunition Loading System within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The UALS has a 2100 round capacity, which can load multiple F-16 Fighting Falcons’ M61A1 Gatling guns utilized for rapid rearmament during combat operations in support of CENTCOM theater objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elijah Casimir, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron support lead, checks a tool accountability log within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Casimir is responsible for tool accountability and maintaining an ample stock of resources utilized by the 378th EMXS weapons backshop to conduct routine and emergent maintenance operations on F-16 Fighting Falcon weapon systems used in support of deterrence operations in the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kevin Estrada, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance member, secures a safety wire to a cylinder block bolt for a MAU-12 ejector rack within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. A centerline fuel tank can be mounted to the MAU-12, with the cylinder block functioning as an ejection mechanism, should a pilot need to quickly eject the tank to enhance maneuverability and remain agile and lethal in the dynamic threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

Solid film lubricant is applied to a LAU-129 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Applying solid film lubricant is a preventative maintenance measure used to reduce the amount of parts the 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Armament Flight needs to replace or repair during future operations checks, ultimately increasing the time of operability with properly functioning weapon systems around the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zaria Hicks, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance member, coats a LAU-129 with solid film lubricant within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Once sprayed, the lubricant cures and creates a solid film which prevents corrosion and helps reduce friction of weapon system components, enabling proper functioning in combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kevin Estrada, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance member, loads a 20mm round into a M61A1 Gatling gun during an operations check within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. In compliance with time compliance technical orders, the 378th EMXS Armament Flight disassembles weapon systems to ensure they work correctly and efficiently whenever needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

A 20mm round is loaded in a M61A1 Gatling gun during an operations check within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. The M61A is one of numerous weapon systems in the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s payload capabilities, making it one of the most versatile and employed aircraft utilized in combat operations around the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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Backbone of 378th EMXS: Weapons backshop

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Raymond Heredia, and Senior Airman Kevin Estrada, 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament maintenance members, attach a mid-barrel clamp assembly to a M61A1 Gatling gun during an operations check within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 4, 2025. Routine maintenance and operations checks are conducted to ensure weapons systems remain functional at all times for use in support of deterrence and regional stability operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Dunkleberger)
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