The 177th Maintenance Group poses for a group photo Jan. 11, 2020, in Key West, Florida. 177th maintenance, operations, logistics and security personnel traveled to the Key West Naval facility to take advantage of the weather and fly numerous training sorties, as well as incentive flights for deserving Airmen. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Brown)
By AIRMAN HUNTER HIRES
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The 177th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) won the Category 1 Maintenance Effectiveness Award for 2019, recognizing it as the top maintenance unit in the Air National Guard.
From left, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Robert Burkett and Senior Airman Leon Nable, with the 177th Fighter Wing electrical and bioenvironmental shop, use an electronic technical order to troubleshoot a pressure connection in an F-16C Fighting Falcon on the flight line at Boca Chica Naval Air Station, Fla. Nov. 8, 2018. Proper pressurization was achieved and the equipment was ops checked and returned to service. 177th maintenance, operations, logistics and security personnel traveled to the Key West Naval facility to take advantage of the weather and fly numerous training sorties. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley)
The Maintenance Effectiveness Award is presented annually to the unit that has best met the objective of providing safe, serviceable and available equipment for sustained use in peacetime and wartime, and has best managed resources.
This unit has some of the best and most dedicated aircraft maintainers in the world, and I am truly excited that they get to see that their blood, sweat and tears didn't go unnoticed, said Lt. Col. Brian T. Cooper, commander of the 177th AMXS. This year was one of our most challenging years ever, but also one of the most rewarding.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony Falcone, crew chief with the 177th Fighter Wing, prepares to marshal an F-16D Fighting Falcon prior to launch, at Boca Chica Field, Fla. on Nov. 8, 2018. Members of the New Jersey Air National Guard unit traveled to Key West Naval Air Station to take advantage of the weather and fly numerous training sorties. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley)
During the 2019 fiscal year, the 177th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron generated the most sorties and flying hours that it has in several years. The squadron exceeded its maintenance action goals, accruing positive improvements on every key performance indicator for the year.
I couldn't be more proud of this team, Cooper said.
In 2019, the unit also mobilized on a continental United Sates Air Expeditionary Force tasking in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's Operation Noble Eagle, enforcing multiple Flight Restrictions established by the FAA. According to Cooper, the wing also accumulated an amazing aircraft utilization rate during this mobilization.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michael T. Baldwin, a crew chief at the 177th Fighter Wing, services the oil on a U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds F-16, at the New Jersey Air National Guard Base, Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Aug. 19, 2019. The 177th FW maintainers supported the Thunderbirds arrival to the base in preparation for the Atlantic City Airshow, A Salute to Those That Serve. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Cristina J. Allen)
The Maintenance Effectiveness Award is separated into two levels. Those are the Headquarters Air Force level and the Air Force Reserve Component (AFRC) level. Within each level, there are four categories, which are, respectively, small aircraft maintenance, medium aircraft maintenance, missile/munitions maintenance, and depot. The 177th AMXS competed on the AFRC level, winning in the small aircraft maintenance category.
Cooper said the 177th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is currently competing for the Maintenance Effectiveness Award at the HAQ level.
