BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
The Air Force Reserve's 940th Maintenance Group received Fourth Air Force's top maintenance award Jan. 17, 2007.
The Clouse Award was presented during a maintenance conference at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. "for exceptionally outstanding maintenance reliability, safety and ingenuity," according to the text on the trophy.
"This award is a reflection of our troops' stellar work," said Col. Melvin "Sonny" Giddings, 940MXG commander. "It's very much deserved for their attention to detail and hard work."
A board of maintenance senior non-commissioned officers from 4AF selected the unit that best exemplifies "the highest standards in safety, mission support, demonstrated ingenuity, mission accomplishments, and maintenance excellence," according to a 4AF instruction.
The annual award is named after the late Chief Master Sgt. James K. Clouse (1937-1984), an aircraft mechanic, electrician, avionics technician and 4AF Headquarters staff member "whose energy, dedication, enthusiasm and achievement inspired all who knew him."
The Chief was also known for his maintenance inspired quotes such as, "Maintenance is the hardest job in the Air Force and the best," or "There's nothing unique in what we do. We all maintain aircraft regardless of our mission. The only difference is in how well we do it."
When it comes to the 940MXG, Colonel Giddings would agree and gives credit to the entire group.
"Everyone worked together to provide safe aircraft for the aircrews to fly," the colonel said. "All of maintenance helped make this possible. I'm very proud of them."