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MacDill holds joint Knuckle Buster Award ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing/Public Affairs
'If it's in the air...MXG put it there'

Maintainers from the active duty 6th Maintenance Group and the Air Force Reserve 927th Maintenance Group came together to recognize the best of the best during a joint Knuckle Buster Award Ceremony held here April 10.

Many throughout the local community as well as many folks on base see the KC-135 soaring above, but few know the blood, sweat and tears that goes into getting and keep these aging 'birds' airborne.

"From a TFI [Total Force Integration] prospective we all bleed blue, every single one of us," said Lt. Col. Stephanie Mehner, 927th Maintenance Group Commander. "It's a team effort, we work hard, every single one of you, and it doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I know you guys sweat and sweat and sweat...Thank you."

The maintainers' commitment to excellence throughout the year resulted in more 1034 sorties flown, 3,497 flying hours logged and more than 13.3 million pounds of fuel offloaded to 1,989 receivers.

Unlike many other Air Force awards that are 'package' driven, the Knuckle Buster awards are voted on by their peers.