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The website dedicated to the FB-111A

'Giant Sword', the SAC Combat Weapons Loading Competition

The Strategic Air Command Combat Weapons Loading Competition, aslo known as "Giant Sword" dates back to 1958 when it was first held at MacDill AFB, Florida. In October that same year, a second competition was hosted at March AFB, California. The competition then moved to Bergstrom AFB, Texas for the next two years. The competition was suspended for 13 years during the conflict in Southeast Asia. During those years, SAC munitions loaders proved their professionalism and capabilities by supporting the effort in Southeast Asia and at the same time maintaining SAC's primary mission of strategic deterrence. The Munitions Loading Competition was held at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, concurrently with the Bombing and Navigation Competition at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana in 1974. Aircrafts crew chiefs were included as integral members of the munitions load crews. The Competition moved to Ellsworth AFB in 1975 and expanded to include the security police elements.

The Barrantine Trophy. The trophy memorializes the late CMSgt Wilbur R.Barrentine who was closely associated with SAC munitions programs from the mid-1950's until his death while serving on active duty in 1970. CMSgt. Barrentine was honored for his contributions to SAC's commandwide munitions safety record during his carrer.

The Combat Weapons Loading Competition served several valuable purposes for SAC. The competition was a source of recognition for the munitions loaders, aircraft crewchiefs and security police who were the backbone of the SAC mission. The competition also served as a peacetime demonstration of the proficiency and capability of SAC to support the Air Force's strategic deterrent mission. Finally, the competition served as a forum to exchange new ideas and innovative ways to get the job done. Participating teams consisted of three elements; a five person munitions load crew, an aircraft crew chief, and a six person security police team. Scoring for the munitions load teams was in three parts; a written exam, an equipment inspection and two munitions loads. Munitions loading was accomplished on ASQ-38 and Offensive Avionics System (OAS) modified B-52G, H and FB-111A. The maximum possible score for each load team was 1250 points. The aircraft crew chiefs were also scored on the basis of a written exam and two exercises, one pre-load and one post-load, for a maximum total of 250 points. Security police teams competed in four areas; a written exam, a confidence course designed to evaluate physical capabilities, a tactical weapons firing course and a practical exercise simulating a situation involving the protection of strategic ressources. Their maximum total was 500 points. The scoring for the competition was conducted by SAC Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation (MSET) members for load crews and aircraft crew chiefs, and representatives from the HQ SAC Office of the Chief of Security Police for the SP's. The wing team which scored the highest points was awarded the Barrantine Memorial Trophy. Other major awards included; Best Munitions Load Crew, Best Security Police Unit, Best Bomber Crew Chief, Best Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) Load Crew and Best Combined Load Crew.

The Giant Sword 1990 competition was to be held in September 1990 at Fairchild AFB, Washington. This SAC-wide competition included weapons laoding, bomb build-up, crew chief competitions, security police, vehicule maintenance, fuels and was to include three new categories; tanker avionics, aerospace ground equipment and vehicule operators. The competition was cancelled due to events leading to the Gulf War.The FB-111A would not have another chance to participate in 'Giant Sword', the type made its last flight on July 10, 1991.

Giant Sword 82 Team Pease

The 1982 Strategic Air Command Combat Weapons Loading Competition was held at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., from Sept. 14 to 21, 1982. The security police, munitions maintenance and organizational maintenance elements from Pease AFB were out that year to unseat 1981's champs, the 19th Bomb Wing from Robins AFB, Ga. before the 19th BMW matched the record of winning back-to-back loading meets. Robins won with a score of 2,859.75 points compared to Pease's second place showing of 2,846.25 points. Pease was one of 19th SAC bombardment wings to compete for the Barrentine Trophy, given to the wing with the best overall score. Pease's security police element was made up of 1st Lt. Richard A. Washburn, OIC, TSgt. Kenneth F. Turcotte, NCOIC, TSgt. Garry J. Kelly, SSgt. Michael R. Lucier, SSgt. Warren L. Keithley, SSgt. Edgar Deshaies, Sgt Robert B. Rush, and SrA Joseph P. Breen. Sergeants Turcotte, Kelly, Lucier, Keithley and Deshaies were all members of the 1981's Pease team. The munitions load crew were MSgt. Roger Shepardson, NCOIC, SSgt. Todd L. McGirr, SSgt. Brian P. Chouiniere, A1C Gerald Trujillo and Sgt. Robbie R. Carlisle. Sergeants McGirr and Carlisle were also repeat performers for the competition. Also making a repeat appearance in the competition was Sgt. David L. Rabitor, the aircraft crew chief from the Organizational Maintenance Squadron. Going through the preparation phase were three additional airmen on the team. They were the alternates. If for some unforeseen circumstances, one of the regular team members couldn't make it, the alternates must be ready to step in. SrA. Steven E. Hamilton was the SP alternate, Amn. Patrick J. McCall the MMS alternate and Amn. Jeffrey Howe was the OMS alternate.

Giant Sword 83 Team Pease

Representatives of the 509th Bombardment Wing participated in the Strategic Air Command's annual Combat Weapons Loading Competition held at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., Sept. 20 to 27, 1983. The Pease Team was divided into two elements, an aircraft crew chief with a four-person FB-111 munitions load crew element; and a six-person security police element.This annual competition not only build team spirit in the members and other in their unit, but also improved techniques. During the many hours of practice the team continuously looked for ways to improve the procedures of each task. Also, the need for intensified training heightens the skill of everyone involved.Team Pease placed ninth over all among the 18 wings competing in the competition. At the conclusion of the competition, Griffiss AFB had taken two of the top honors. The Security Police members were; SSgt. Edgar Deshaies, SSgt. Jeffrey Dennen, Sgt. Robert Rush, Sgt. Daniel Potter, Sgt. Donald Howard, SrA. Randy Munn and A1C Lance Herbert. The 509th MMS was represented by; TSgt. Robert Bell, Sgt. William House, SrA. Gerald Trujillo and A1C Gary Littlefield. The aircraft crew chief was SrA Jeffrey Howe and A1C Neil Moser as the alternate. The team OIC was 2nd Lt. John Decknick, NCOIC was MSgt. Daniel Foster and Assistant NCOIC was TSgt. Gary Kelly.Team Pease scored 2668 points in the Wing Competition; 206 points in the Crew Chief Comp; 1297 points in the SP Comp; and 1166 points in the Munitions Load Comp.

Team Pease wins 1985 Giant Sword

In 1985, the 509th Bombardment Wing became the first FB-111 unit to win the Barrentine Trophy, the coveted first place award of the SAC Combat Weapons Loading Competition. The 509th BW competitors tallied 2,872 of a possible 3,000 points to win that competition held Sept. 19-26, 1985 at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. The year's runnerup was the 2nd BW from Barksdale AFB, LA. The competition for second through fourth places was extremely tight. Only four points separated these three positions with Barksdale chalking up 2,747 points, while the 416th BW from Griffiss AFB, NY was only one point back with 2,746. Close behind with 2,743 points was the 410th BW from K.I.Sawyer AFB, MI. In addition to winning the Barrentine Trophy, the 509th BW also took home the Best Munitions Load Crew, Best Combined Load Crew, Best FB-111 Load and Best MMS Equipment awards. Team Plattsburgh won the award for Best SRAM Load.
Members of Team Pease were led by Col. Gordon V. Harmon with 2nd Lt Charles H. Leathers Jr. (OIC MMS), TSgt. Daniel R. Perkins (NCOIC OMS), SSgt. Gerald Trujillo, SrA. William J. Salvaggio, Sgt. Richard D. Grzela, Sgt. William G. House, SSgt. Howard J. Menchion, 509th MMS. TSgt. Jeffrey M. Mazowieski (aircraft crew chief) and SSgt. George P. Nicholaou (alternate aircraft crew chief) for the maintenance element. The security element was composed of 1st Lt. Thomas A. Lambert, TSgt. Michael T. Flynn, SSgt. Jeffrey D. Dennen, Sgt. Stephen R. Wilson, Sgt. Patrick M. Hofmann, SrA. Randolph Watkins II, A1C. Michael D. Miller, Amn. Richard A. Girard and SrA. Robert R. Hague from the 509th SPS.

Giant Sword 78 Team Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh Air Force Base received "Best SRAM Load" in the 1978 Giant Sword competition held at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and finished sixth overall. Andersen AFB, Guam, scored a perfect 600 points on the last day of munitions loading competition to take first place and the coveted Barrentine Trophy. The Andersen crew chief rounded out the scoring by compiling a perfect 40 points. Just 6.2 points behind Andersen was Castle AFB, Ca. and Ellsworth AFB finished third, 23.5 points behind Andersen. Fourth and fifth places went to Griffiss AFB, N.Y. and Pease AFB, N.H., respectively.In other individuals awards, Plattsburgh was 14th in the security police standings, 4th among munitions loading competitors and 19th in aircraft crew chief standings. Members on the Plattsburgh Munitions Loading Team included; Sgt. Dennis B. Verkest, A1C Maxwell G. Green, Amn. David L. Groves, SrA. Glenn M. Prox, Amn. Antonio M. McCoy and SrA. Jorge R. Nunez, FB-111 crew chief.Security Police Team members included SSgt. William D. Greene, SSgt. Alexander C. Bissland Jr., SrA. Mark S. Cottom, SrA. David J. Wright, SrA. John M. Taper, SrA. James R. Ferrier and A1C Gregory Jones.

Giant Sword 79 Team Plattsburgh

Giant Sword '79 team members from the 380th Bomb Wing participated in this competition held at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. They finished fifth among 20 Strategic Air Command bombardment wings for the Barrantine Trophy and other awards. Base team members included a security police element, an FB-111 bomber crew chief and a munitions uploading unit. Separately, the security police element made up of TSgt. Kenneth H. Rawlings, SSgt. G.R. Rowland, SrA.Wayne T. Kornbrath, SrA. Jon A. Toper, SSgt. Robert E. Culbertson and A1C Michael W. McCarthy rated a sixth place. The base's munitions uploading crew, consisting of Sgt. Robert K. Night, A1C Timothy H. Cole, A1C Robert D. Reed, A1C Merriman Johnson Jr., and A1C Martin Baretta, placed sixth out of 20 uploading teams. SrA. Stephen J. Colomey placed 12th in the aircraft crew chief competition. The 380th Bomb Wing's standing had improved from the '78's final rating of sixth place to fifth.Overall highest scorer of the contest, and winner of the Barrantine Trophy, was Minot AFB, N.D. In second place came Pease AFB, N.H. The winning Minot team accumulated a total of 2,790 points for the highest overall score during Giant Sword '79 competition. Plattsburgh team members were 81 points off the high score with 2, 709 total points.During the contest, the 12-man Plattsburgh AFB team worked their way up from 12th place to fifth. They took part in written tests, weapons uploading, enacting scenarios involving the protection of bomber alert aircraft, accuracy in shooting the M-16 rifle, and preparing aircraft for weapon loading.380th Bomb Wing staff/representatives supporting the Giant Sword '79 team members included Lt Col. Thomas J. Wilkinson, project officer; 1st Lt. Gary L. Wright, security police officer; 2nd Lt. Donald W. Craig, munitions loading officer; SSgt. Robert L. Mitchell, NCOIC of munitions loading; and A1C David C. McCormick, security police alternate.Other distinguishing ratings went to Carswell AFB, Tx. with the best munitions load crew, best munitions loads, best B-52 loads and best munitions equipment. The 92nd Bomb Wing from Fairchild AFB, Wash., received the best crew chief award and best security team merits went to the 97th Bomb Wing at Blyteville AFB, Ar.The 509th Bomb Wing, Pease AFB, N.H., won the best FB-111 load honors while the best short range attack missile load went to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. Griffiss AFB, N.Y. and Loring AFB, Me., took best crew chief honors.

Giant Sword 84 Team Plattsburgh

The 1984 Strategic Air Command Combat Weapons Loading Competition was held at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., from Sept. 5 to 12. Plattsburgh AFB was one of twelve bases competing for the Barrentine Trophy, given to the overall champions. Awards also go to the best munitions loading crew, best security police unit and best bomber crew chief. There was also 16 individual event awards. Competition officials said that the program was designed to improve load crew, crew chief and security police skills, aid in developing new combat concepts, promote competitiveness among the units and enhance esprit de corps.This was the 10th straight year that the competition was held at Ellsworth AFB and the host team won the event. Last year's winners, Griffis AFB, placed third. The 509th BW based at Pease AFB, N.H., came in second.The 380th Security Police Squadron element took first place in the practical exercise. The SP team racked up a perfect score and posted the fastest time to edge out other teams fro the trophy in that exercise. In overall competition, the SPs placed third, only one point out of second place. Security Police teams competed in practical security exercises, confidence courses runs and written exams. In addition, a new tactical weapons firing course replaced the M-16 marksmanship trials of past competitions. The Security Police squad consisted of; SSgt. Wayne A. Hagan, SSgt. Timothy D. Gero, SSgt. George Maxim, Sgt. Albert L. Burch, A1C John C. Mura and A1C Maurice P. Doe.Other elements of the Plattsburgh team also did well. In crew chief competition, Sgt. Bruce C. Wood, 380th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, finished seventh overall, only 26 points out of first place. The alternate was Sgt. David Phelps. The 380th Munitions Maintenance Squadron crew finished 11th overall while scoring a perfect load on their first try in that portion of the competition. Members of the 380th MMS were; SSgt. Thomas G. Sroczyck, SrA. Anthony J. Caponigro, A1C Mark C. Blevins and SrA. Duncan E. Nobinger. Load teams were judged on equipment condition, two munitions loading exercises and written exams. Crew chiefs prepared their aircraft for each phase of the competition and were judged through written tests and on-scene evaluation.The project officer was Lt Col. Thomas A. Twomey. Team NCOIC was TSgt. Arthur D. Lassetter. SPS NCOIC was MSgt. Robert McNamara; his assistant was Sgt. Charles B. Rhue.

Giant Sword 87 Team Plattsburgh

The 380th Bombardment Wing's Giant Sword '87 team competed in the annual Strategic Air Command combat weapons loading held at Fairchild AFB, Wash. The Plattsburgh team wound up the tough, grueling competition in the pack behind the winning team from Pease AFB, N.H. Giant Sword is designed to test the abilities of weapons load crews, aircraft crew chiefs and security police teams from 23 of SAC's unit across the country and in Guam.Crews were evaluated on how well they scored on written tests and then on how well they performed maintenance tasks, or in the case of the security police, on how well they completed the firing ranges, obstacle course and other tests. With the first place finish, Pease AFB claimed the prestigious Barrentine Trophy, which goes to the unit with the best combined score throughout the competition.The team from Minot AFB, N.D., finished second, just 12 points behind the winners. Only 40 points separated the first and fifth place finishers.Shining for the Plattsburgh team were A1C James T. Gendreau and A1C John E. Lechner. The two security police specialists completed the competition obstacle course in times well under the previous best time of 12:58Members of Plattsburgh's munitions loading crew element were: SSgt. Mark C. Blevins, Anthony J. Caponigro, William P. McFadden and Donald C. Molner. Comprising the Plattsburgh security police element, in addition to Gendreau and Lechner, were: TSgt. Dennis W. Bradley, SSgt. Wayne A. Hagan, Sgt. John P. Addario, SrA. Thomas P. Premo and A1C Alonzo Bland, Scott A. Forbes and Henry M. Love II. The Plattsburgh crew chief and alternate crew chief were SSgt. Pascal A. Bedard and George R. Parsons.Lt Col. Robert J. Smith Jr., served as the unit project officer for the Plattsburgh competition effort, while 2nd Lt. David A. Huni was the team officer-in-charge. MSgt. Jimmie Manning served as the support officer and TSgt. Rodolpho M. Gonzalez was the 380th MMS representative. Representating the 380th OMS was SSgt. William D. Havens.