Maintenance best in 4th Air Force

14 Sep 2006 | Tech. Sgt. Wendy Beauchaine

McChord's Reserve maintainers are turning more than wrenches, they are routinely turning over accolades and bringing home big trophies that spotlight their talent. Most recently, the 446th Maintenance Group earned high praise in July when it was named the Chief Master Sgt. James K. Clouse Trophy award winner at the 4th Air Force Commanders Conference at March ARB, Calif.
This trophy is presented to recognize excellence among maintenance organizations within 4th Air Force.
"Earning this award acknowledges the caliber of our maintenance group people," said Brig. Gen. Eric Crabtree, 446th Airlift Wing commander. "I am so pleased to see this level of recognition for our deserving citizen Airmen."
The award didn't get handed over alone. The 446th AW was also presented with the Raincross Trophy, which is given to the best wing in 4th AF. This is the first time one wing took home both trophies in the same year.
The maintenance Airmen pooled together their talents to boast exceptional mission performance, spectacular innovation, and highly effective training. Among their specific accomplishments, the people of the 446th MXG performed the best C-17 pre-flight inspection at the 2005 Rodeo competition, contributing to the wing's award of Best C-17 Wing. They also reduced the time taken to change a C-17 engine by 40 percent, and supported Team McChord in flying 2,500 hours more than any other C-17 unit.
"This is a very prestigious award and to be recognized as the best in 4th Air Force is very impressive," said Col. Jon Huguley, 446th MXG commander.
In addition to the immediately visible outstanding areas in the maintenance group, the wing safety inspection rated the group at 98 percent, a high mark for one of the most diverse, industrialized areas in the wing.
"Our folks have been working very hard," Colonel Huguley said. "Even though this period has been highly labor intensive, we're still keeping up high manning and retention numbers, which speaks volumes about the culture of excellence we're constantly striving for.
"I couldn't ask for a better group to lead," he continued. "But we could not have won this by ourselves. It takes a team effort from the entire wing to make us successful."