A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, conducts a mission to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility during Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1, out of Morón Air Base, Spain, Nov. 12, 2025. The U.S. maintains a strong, credible strategic bomber force postured with combat-credible capabilities to deter and defend against conventional and asymmetric threats in today’s complex global security environment. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Rhea Beil)
At RAF Fairford, where operations shift quickly from quiet skies to the roar of bomber task forces and NATO exercises, a small logistics team ensures every mission has what it needs to succeed.
A quarterly load competition had just begun, the goal to be the first to load three weapons onto their respective F-16. Winning requires near-perfect coordination, teamwork, and communication in a loud, chaotic, high-stakes environment. Teams are scored not only by how fast they load the weapons, but also by how few errors were present in their work.
