MXG olympics challenge Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Airmen in the 354th Maintenance Group practiced teambuilding and teamwork in a series of challenges during the Maintenance Group olympics, March 25 at the weapons loading facility.

The 354 MXG organized several fun and challenging events that pushed Airmen to strive for excellence. The friendly competition promoted the Iceman Team concept by encouraging Airmen to work together and rely on one another to achieve a common goal.

"The maintenance olympics have taken common elements from each of the different sections and given it a twist," said. Tech. Sgt. Jason Ingram, 354 Maintenance Squadron lead standardization crew chief and weapons evaluator. "We want Airmen to take part in something fun, something they would want to participate in."

Personnel signed up and participated in teams varying from four to six people. Teams prepared for the friendly contest in different ways, but most teams brought on-the-job skills to the competition.

In the face of competition, participating shops put lessons learned into practice. A total of 24 teams represented the various maintenance shops totaling more than 100 Airmen.

The olympics offered many events: the composite tool kit scramble, ammo-can relay, safety wire competition, obstacle course, and tug-of-war, just to name a few.

The composite tool kit scramble pitted teams against an unorganized heap of tools. Maintenance Airmen rushed through the tools searching for their equipment and quickly retrieved their assigned gear.

All of the challenges were done with Airmen in mind. Competition is a driving force for maintainers who work on aircraft.

"Bragging rights are very important in the maintenance world," said Tech. Sgt. Becky Davis 354th MXS quality inspector. "It reflects your work ethic, it's your pride."

"The Olympics were a great team building event for the whole group," said Tech Sgt. Joshua Clifford, 354 MXG resource advisor. "I had a blast competing against other maintainers in events geared toward the maintenance world. I look forward to defending my teams title in next year's olympics and hope the event grows."

Winners were judged under a point system based on how quickly a challenge was completed. The quantifying factor was the effectiveness of the winning teams. Top finishers were: CGO Mafia, QA, and MXG Staff and Training.