507th, 137th MXGs named 4AF's best maintainers in 2010

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zach Jacobs
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Since 2005, the 507th Air Refueling Wing (Air Force Reserve Command) and 137th Air Refueling Wing (Oklahoma Air National Guard) have been associate units, a first in Air Force Reserve Command.

But after their association in 2005, few might have imagined two of their subordinate units sharing prestigious recognition for their joint mission.

The 507th and 137th Maintenance Groups recently received the 2010 Chief Master Sgt. James K. Clouse Trophy, the Fourth Air Force's award for the most outstanding Reserve aircraft maintenance unit. This represents the first time a Reserve-Guard associate organization has win the Clouse Trophy .

According to wing officials the joint team's mission statistics speak volumes during their  record-setting fiscal year. The groups maintained 12 KC-135R Stratotankers, which flew 4,591 flying hours representing 200 more hours in the air than in the previous year. At the same time flying hours increased, the maintenance team also increased the aircraft mission capability rate by five percent and decreased the maintenance-related non-mission capability rate by seven percent.

Additionally, their mission capable rate while supporting an Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployment to Andersen AB, Guam was an unprecedented 94 percent and their completed sortie rate was a whopping 99 percent.

Col. Clay Bunting, commander of the 507th Maintenance Group, described the 507th and 137th MXGs' winning the Clouse Trophy as a "huge" acomplishnment. "This is yet another validation from an outside entity of how far we have traveled on the association journey with the 137th Maintenance Group.  It marks a significant milepost of achievement," added Bunting. "It is even more significant knowing how strong the competition was among the other maintenance groups within 4th Air Force for this particular award."

Col. Doug Coker, the 137th Maintenance Group commander, said the challenges inherent in "meshing two groups along with our two cultures while still promoting the highest standards in safety, mission accomplishment and flat-out excellence in maintenance, has been our adventure."

"The maintenance guard guys and gals are very proud of what they and their reserve counterparts have accomplished in 2010," added Coker. "We appreciate the recognition and honor of the Chief Master Sgt. James Clouse Trophy and are ready to tackle 2011 with a back-to-back receipt of the trophy."

Bunting also said, "To me personally, it is the Airmen who comprise both maintenance groups that make the complex orchestration of aircraft maintenance and flying each day, and night in the rain, wind, snow, and sleet a fact."

"Their stellar performance, which many take for granted, made the winning of this prestigious award a fact. This is their award and their win," he added.

The following is inscribed on the Clouse Trophy: "Chief Clouse was a member of the Fourth Air Force Maintenance Directorate until his death in 1984. He was a model Airman and maintainer whose energy, enthusiasm and achievement inspired all who knew him. This trophy was dedicated to his memory and first awarded after his death in 1984."