An Air Force unit in Japan was recently honored by the Department of Defense for its “maintenance excellence.”
The 18th Maintenance Group based out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, received the Phoenix Award in December for being the best field-level maintenance unit. The annual honor, which was established in 1985, is a first for the group.
“Kadena is a legendary air base that works better with our joint service partners and allies than any organization I have ever seen,” said Lt. Col. Warren Smith, deputy commander of the 18th. “Bottom line, the airmen of the 18th Maintenance Group are the backbone of our most vital theater; we are proud of the mission capability they bring to the table, and we are honored to be recognized with this prestigious award.”
Every active and reserve maintenance unit across the DOD is eligible to win the Phoenix, an award that comes with hardware. In addition to a permanent trophy on display at the Pentagon bearing the 18th’s insignia, the group also gets a traveling version they can display on base until next year’s ceremony.
“Members of the 18th Maintenance Group distinguished themselves by accomplishing superior aircraft and munitions maintenance for 80 aircraft,” wrote the DOD in a Jan. 8, 2024, press release. “In total, the group generated 7,601 sorties and 17,600 flight hours with its fleet of F-15C, F-15D, KC-135, HH-60, and E-3 aircraft … Most notably, the maintenance group played a critical role supporting and ensuring the safety of the highest-ranking congressional delegation to visit Taiwan in 25 years.”
Col. Randy Schwinler, the 18th Maintenance Group commander, gave personnel assigned to the unit a two-day pass in appreciation. One of those airmen is Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Britton, a KC-135 flying crew chief for the 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit.
“One of the reasons that comes to mind for the 18th winning this award is that the airframes we fix daily and continue to upkeep in order to accomplish the mission are all aged and weathered platforms,” Britton said. “We don’t have the flashy new jets that other units are working and yet were able to keep our fleets at the operational readiness level they are.”
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Staff Sgt. JoAnn Morgan, the armament maintenance supervisor for the 18th Munitions Squadron, agreed the Shogun Maintainers have seen their share of obstacles.
“We successfully overcame multiple hurdles in 2022: from preparing the F-15C/D and HH-60G fleets for divestments, [plus] HHQ objectives and numerous exercises and TDYs,” she said. “Our permanent insignia is a testament to the hard work, adaptability and perseverance the ‘Shogun Maintainers’ showcase daily.”
Britton said there was a “fair amount of shock” amongst his fellow maintainers upon hearing they won the Phoenix.
“I know we’re good, but to be recognized as being part of the [maintenance group] that is considered the best out of all of our sister services definitely makes you look back at everything accomplished over the last year and what went into it,” he said.
His deputy commander, however, was shocked for a different reason.
“In all honesty, my greatest surprise was learning this was the first time the 18th Maintenance Group as part of team Kadena has been selected for this award,” he said.
