NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, NEW YORK -- The Air Force Reserve Command Maintenance Effectiveness Award Category 1 – Small Aircraft Maintenance (25 to 300 authorized personnel) was awarded to the 914th Maintenance Group recently for the most successfully managed maintenance resources to provide safe and serviceable equipment for sustained use in peacetime and wartime.
In Fiscal Year 2021, Niagara led AFRC’s KC-135 flying hour program. As a newer tanker unit, the 914th is tasked to be an integral part in U.S. Strategic Command’s number one mission: Nuclear Deterrence. The 914 MXG also played a huge role in developing a training plan for the wing and conducted four Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercises (NORE).
The 914th also accomplished their first deployment with the tankers to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in fiscal year 2021. It was there that they led the largest tanker operation in U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) with deployed members who contributed to the ultimate delivery of 170 million pounds of fuel to 12,000 joint receivers and earned the Air Force Association Aerospace Award “Citation of Honor.”
914th MXG commander, Lt. Col. Albert Knapp said, “In my humble opinion, the team that is assembled here at Niagara Falls in the 914th Maintenance Group is the best in the United States Air Force – bar none. They have transitioned to the KC-135 in minimal time, successfully deployed during COVID-19 operations, been selected as the site for a Regionalized Isochronal Inspection for the Reserve Command, AND won the Maintenance Effectiveness Award!”
“My officers, chiefs, supervisors and all maintenance Airmen make me proud and it’s my honor and privilege to lead them as their commander,” added Knapp.