Gallery: The Air Force Runs a Bomb-Building Competition. Cuz ‘MERICA

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    Andrew Hetherington
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    A member of an ammo troop oversees the buildup of GBU-38s (JDAM 38).
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    A munitions squad plans their bomb build.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    Bomb components are brought onsite for use in the team competition.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    An ammo troop inspects GBU-38 (Joint Direct Attack Munition 38) tail kits before assembling them on to the bomb body.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    A munitions squad at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, loading bombs.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    Competitors attach a precision-guided tailkit to a bomb body.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    Fully assembled GBU-38s awaiting inspection by Global Strike Challenge judges.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    An inert bomb on display at Whiteman Air Force Base.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    Ammo troops move GBU-38 bomb bodies along a mobile assembly line.
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    The trophy case displaying awards from previous Global Strike Challenge competitions.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    All bombs are inspected before the competition; here, an ammo troop installs fuzes into a MK-82 bomb body as part of the GBU-38 (JDAM 38) buildup process.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    The Spirit of Nebraska being loaded with concrete gravity bombs as part of the Global Strike Challenge.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    The B-2's signature shape is everywhere on base, including doors to restricted areas.
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    Andrew Hetherington
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    Crew chiefs who oversee the maintenance of individual B-2 bombers.
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