Two Sides of the Same Coin

Senior Airman Kasey Castor, 5th Maintenance Group weapons load crew team member, takes her hunting dogs out to exercise in Minot, N.D., Jan. 31, 2015. Castor unwinds from a hard day of work by hunting and is currently working on her degree in fisheries and wildlife (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)

Two Sides of the Same Coin

Senior Airman Kasey Castor, 5th Maintenance Group weapons load crew team member, warms her hands while performing maintenance on a B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 30, 2015. Castor has been in the Air Force for six years and enjoys the pride she receives from being a weapons-loader. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)

Two sides of the same coin

Published May 7, 2015
By Senior Airman Malia Jenkins
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- "I absolutely feel that pride because I know my team and I work in harsh conditions and still push through and get the mission done."

Senior Airman Kasey Castor is a weapons load crew member with the 5th Maintenance Group and has been in the Air Force for six years. Her main mission is to provide nuclear surety as well as a constant bomber presence, whether in the United States or Guam.

She said the mission at Minot is challenging not only because of the austere weather, but also because of the exercises weapons-loaders participate in, where they demonstrate loading nuclear packages and completing the mission no matter what is thrown their way.

"It's challenging most days, but at the same time, it definitely keeps you going and going - kind of like the energizer bunny," she said.

"It's difficult, but at the end of the day I can look myself in the mirror and say, 'You did that. Not a lot of people can do that on a day-to-day basis like I can -- being a weapons-loader'," she added. "It definitely gives me a sense of pride along with overcoming some of the obstacles, like not feeling your fingers on some days, or your feet or cheeks because the wind is constantly ripping through you."

Another obstacle weapons loaders have to deal with in the winter months is trying to squeeze into tight spaces while wearing five to seven layers of clothes to remain warm.

"When you're loading bombs you're in big ole bear suits, so it kind of constricts you and some of your movements when you're trying to climb a ladder and get bombs locked into place," said the Denver, Colorado native.

With a variety of obstacles weapons loaders have to overcome, they are able to foster comradery to complete the mission and boost the morale of their fellow loaders by conducting small competitions to see who the best is.

"We definitely get a close bonding out there. We have small competitions in the competition," she said. "We try to compete with each other to see who's the fastest at getting tools out and getting them set up. We have to remember at the end of the day you're not going through it alone."

Although Castor has a demanding job in the Air Force, she is still able to unwind and find time to participate in sports and outdoor activities with her hunting dog. With her love of the outdoors she plans to finish her degree in fisheries and wildlife and continue in the career she loves--United States Air Force weapons load crew member.