Liberty Wing maintainers get 'back to basics'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joe Yanik
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Sometimes, it's about getting back to the basics.

That's exactly what 512th Maintenance Group reservists did as they participated in a back-to-basics challenge at the base theater here July 14.

During the challenge, maintainers represented their squadrons and flights in head-to-head battles that tested their Air Force knowledge and abilities.

The competitions covered general Air Force knowledge such as chains of command, Air Force song and Airman's Creed. Additionally, Airmen demonstrated their understanding of drill movements and aircraft knowledge.

The challenge even had Master Sgt. Brent Warren, 436th Aerial Port Squadron quality assurance program manager and former basic military training instructor, don his MTI campaign hat once again has he put the maintainers to the test.

The 512th MXG senior NCOs had expressed the importance of the core values and customs that are at the root of all Airmen, said Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Ford, 512th MXG chief enlisted manager and event moderator.

"(Col. Kelvin D. McElroy, 512th MXG commander,) responded immediately to the feedback by organizing this event," added Ford.

The challenge was designed so that each of the eight competitions awarded points to the winner's unit instead of individual competitors. The unit with the most points at the end would be named champion.

At the end of the day, it was the 712th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron who claimed the back-to-basics challenge title as Maj. Anthony Linton, 712th AMXS commander, accepted a big wrench award for his maintainers' victory.

Winners of individual competitions are as follows:
Airman's Creed - Senior Airmen Davon Distance, Laurice Heard and John Hauer, 712th AMXS
Drill movements - Airman 1st Class Duane Williams, 712th AMXS
C-17 and C-5 aircraft knowledge - 512th AMXS
Chain of command - Senior Airman Antonio Smith, 512th Maintenance Operations Flight
Air Force song - Senior Airman Desmond Ware, 512th AMXS
Vision and Mission Card - Senior Airman Laurice Heard, 712th AMXS
Airman's Creed Card - Master Sgt. Nacoma Kulowiec, 512th AMXS
Most Enthusiastic Airman - Tech. Sgt. Kevin Flowers, 712th AMXS

And, while the 712th AMXS took home the trophy, the unit's commander said everyone benefitted from the competition.

"There were no winners or losers today," said Linton. "The event simply provided a chance for the group to come together to rededicate ourselves to the basics of our jobs.

"But, if the award had to be given out, I'm glad we won it," he added.

Maj. Shirley Whitney, 512th Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer, said that while a lot of time and energy went into planning the challenge, she thought it was all worth it.

"(This is) one of the best commander's calls I've been in 27 years," elaborated Whitney. "(It was a) great morale booster."

McElroy concluded the event by thanking the judges, event organizers, guest MTI and the Airmen of the 512th MXG.

"There's a saying: 'people don't remember what you say, but remember how you made them feel,'" said Ford. "We hope the Airmen today come away from this challenge feeling that they are valued, have a desire to learn more about the Air Force and their jobs as maintainers, and that they had fun."