Utah's 151st Maintenance Group wins ANG Outstanding Unit Award

by Staff Sgt. Annie Edwards
151 ARW/PA

9/30/2015 - SALT LAKE CITY -- The 151st Maintenance Group was awarded the Air Force Association 2015 Air National Guard Outstanding Unit Award at a ceremony in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 14.

The award, which covered achievements from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2014, recognized the unit for exceptionally meritorious service, and cited their dedication, work ethic, and sound maintenance practices.

The group attained an 81 percent mission capable rate, exceeding the Air Force's refueling fleet average of 73.57 percent.

Col. Susan Melton, commander of the 151st Maintenance Group, praised the hard work and efforts of the entire unit.

"I am very proud to be a part of our great organization and am so thrilled for each and every member who is so critical to ensuring we are successful in our mission and so deserving of this award," said Melton. "The men and women of the MXG are very dedicated and work extremely hard every day to keep our aircraft in as good of shape as they are in."

In addition to achieving a high mission capable rate, during this time the group also deployed more than 120 individuals and several aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and agile combat for Air Force operations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations.

"We can't be successful in our mission without the contributions of each and every member," said Melton. "I am so proud and impressed every day with how well these maintainers are able to keep our 51-plus-year-old jets flying and in such great shape."

The 151st flew more than 5,420 hours in the past fiscal year, a record high for the unit.