Unrivaled Maintainers

  • Published
  • By Maj. Randall J. Orne
  • 63rd Refueling Squadron
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MI --      The KC-135 Stratotanker has achieved a milestone few aircraft can claim-50 years service for the U.S. Air Force.
 
    The 50th anniversary commemorating KC-135 refueling service was celebrated September 9 at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, co-hosted by Tinker Heritage Foundation and the Air Force Association, Gerrity Chapter. 

    The 927th Air Refueling Wing was one of only eight active duty, guard and reserve units invited to place an aircraft on display, thus providing a unique opportunity to showcase professional efforts of our maintenance personnel in maintaining decades old aircraft to the highest standards of reliability and keeping them in pristine condition. 

    Prior to the kick-off ceremony the eight aircraft competed for the Best Maintained Aircraft, an event judged by two retired KC-135 crew chiefs-Chief Master Sgt. (Ret) Bobby McCasland, first KC-135 crew chief and crew chief for Gen. Curtis Lemay and Chief Master Sgt. (Ret) Rick Ferris, having spent his entire career maintaining tankers. Aircraft 57-1456, built in 1957, represented the wing along with Master Sgt. Martin Cicotte, Tech. Sgt. Scott Niemi, and Staff Sgt. Timothy Henneberry, 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Master Sgt. Scott Lawson and Master Sgt. Gerry Ridener, 927th Maintenance Squadron. 

    During the ceremony the announcement was made by Chief McCasland the competition was won by the 927th ARW. 

    In recognition of the outstanding achievement, a custom model of the first KC-135 was presented to Master Sgt. Cicotte, who accepted on behalf of the wing. Master Sgt Cicotte commented briefly on the fact that this aircraft is not an air show bird-all wing aircraft are maintained at this high level through the cumulative efforts of maintenance personnel in the wing. 

    Following the ceremony, KC-135s were on static display for viewing by military and civilian guests. Aircraft 57-1456 received plenty of attention as other maintenance personnel sought out our maintainers for advice and techniques on how to better maintain high time aircraft. 

    Ramp events included a historic presentation of KC-135s, a display of the units that have flown them and several defense industry partners also provided displays.