Knucklebusters recognize maintainers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole Leidholm
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th and 349th Maintenance Groups hosted their annual Knucklebuster Awards ceremony May 23.

The Knucklebuster Awards recognize individuals from our maintenance and aerial port operations whose on-the-job contributions have significantly impacted their squadron's mission. Awards are given to individuals who have demonstrated superior motivation, professionalism and achievement in pursuing mission objectives.

"This award is special and unique because Knucklebuster winners are selected by a vote of their peers," said Master Sgt. Matthew Warren, 60 MXG Quality Assurance Chief.

They are nominated by their peers in one of four categories: mission generation, mission support, enabler or manager. Selection for the award is a two-phase process. The first phase is the selection of the squadron-level winners. The second phase is the selection of the group-level winners.

"Highlighting the superior performance of our Knucklebusters is critical to morale, and ultimately the success of our mission," Warren said. "These awards serve to enhance mission readiness and improve efficiencies by encouraging excellence in all maintenance areas."

Col. Mark Weber, 60th Maintenance Group Commander, highlighted some of the accomplishments of both groups, citing specifically that they received the 2012 Air Mobility Command Clements McMullen Memorial Daedalian Weapon System Maintenance Trophy as the "Best MXG in AMC"; received an outstanding rating on the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program; received an excellent rating on the Operational Readiness Inspection and were the 2012 AMC Maintenance Training Flight of the Year.

The groups also have generated 6,020 C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender sorties; executed 48,743 flying hours; moved 42,403 passengers and 41,941 tons of cargo; reduced delayed discrepancies across the entire wing fleet by 69 percent; increased the mission capable rate across all three airframes by a combined 11.8 percent.

"It is our maintainers' and Port Dawgs' readiness, ability and willingness to get the mission done," Weber said. "The relationship between active duty, reserve and civilians is unequaled. We are truly a team. They move the mission with energy, audacity and passion. The proof is the fact that we are America's First Choice."