GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind -- He had always heard good things about Grissom's maintainers, but Col. Stan Sheley is seeing first hand the dedicated team that's been racking up awards.
The 434th Maintenance Group received the 4th Air Force’s Reserve Officers' Association Outstanding Reserve Non-flying Unit Award for 2005, and Colonel Sheley, the incoming commander of the 434th MXG, is impressed with the accomplishments and track record of the group.
"Frankly, the first impression here has been stronger than anyone I've ever been around," the colonel said.
To receive this award, the 434th MXG had to meet several criteria as outlined by the 4th AF to include unit accomplishments, training effectiveness for all personnel, community involvement, safety records, and supporting deployments, said Lt. Col. Steve Whicker, the commander of the 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
"It's also a culmination of what other people have been recognized for as individuals in the organization. If there were individual awards for crew chief of the year or Leo Marquez award winner; all of those help contribute to the overall package," said Lt. Col. Eric Brandes, the commander of the 434th Maintenance Squadron.
The award period dated from Oct. 01, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005. During that period, the 434th MXS received the Air Force Reserve Command's Air Force Maintenance Effectiveness Award, personnel from the 434th MXG raised money for local community events, and two members of the 434th AMXS received Humanitarian Medals for volunteering their time after work and weekends to Habitat for Humanity.
Other accomplishments included serving as lead unit for the 434th Air Refueling Wing's Operational Readiness inspection in August 2005, redeploying an entire fleet of KC-135R stratotankers back to Grissom after operating out of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio during Grissom's runway closure, and managing presidential support for Air Force One with less than 24 hours notice.
According to Lt. Col. Art Van Houten, the commander of the 434th Maintenance Operations Flight, these types of accomplishments are made possible by other units around the base.
"We couldn't do those [accomplishments] in maintenance if it wasn't for the rest of the base. Supply's got to be there for us, civil engineering's got to be there for us with the facilities, base care and maintenance and the cops have to be there to take care of criminal elements. Our numbers are a reflection of the base's effort to support us," Colonel Van Houten said.
Colonel Whicker summed up the meaning of the ROA Non-flying Award for the 434th MXG and what they do day in and day out.
"We live in a life or death business and an inherently dangerous business being in maintenance; we don't slip the surly bonds of Earth and go into the great beyond everyday, but we do fly with the crews when they go off station...no matter where the airplane goes it needs maintenance."