Putting the skill to the test

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Hough and Airman 1st Class Trenton Metyk, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons armament systems specialists, secure munitions onto an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a phase II operational readiness exercise at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 17, 2011. An exercise evaluation team member evaluated Hough and Metyk on the proper procedures and efficiency in loading munitions onto the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Mancha/Released)

Out of limit

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew Salter, 23rd Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion apprentice, unscrews the chin scoop of an HC-130 Combat King engine at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 8, 2011. The turbine changes are usually done when damage is found during routine inspections. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Mancha/Released)

OJT

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Eric Eckmann, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals an A-10C Thunderbolt II to taxi at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 3, 2011. Eckmann has been at Moody a little more than a month and is working toward his 5-skill level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Mancha/Released)

23rd MXG wins ACC maintenance trophy

Published Dec. 1, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Every year only one maintenance group within Air Combat Command is chosen to receive "the crown jewel of maintenance awards."

The Clements McMullen Memorial Daedalian Weapons System Maintenance Trophy recognizes the unit that has best met the objective of providing safe, serviceable, and available equipment for sustained use in peace and war.

Moody was chosen as the best base throughout ACC and will be moving on to the next level.

All commanders within the 23rd MXG believe in their folks and in what they do.

"We think our folks absolutely deserve this award, we worked extremely hard to get where we are today," they said. "The Flying Tiger maintainers definitely bring the teeth to the fight."

"The men and women of the 23rd Maintenance Group sustain personnel recovery and precision attack airpower capability anywhere in the world," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Buck, 23rd Maintenance Operations Squadron commander. "Whether it's humanitarian relief or putting bombs on target, we are there."

Throughout the year 2011, the Flying Tiger maintainers provided 365 days of combat airpower in four separate areas of responsibility.

The group also deployed a total of 45 aircraft and 1,372 personnel. This generated 28,500 flights and 71,200 flight hours. This flight production accounted for over 1,500 lives saved and 167 enemies killed in action.

Since being chosen for the ACC award, the maintenance group will be going against all other major command winners to prove they are the best in the Air Force.