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Barksdale's best maintainers recognized for service in 2014

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  The 2014 Maintenance Professional of the Year awards ceremony was held at the Weapons Load Training facility Feb. 20.

The ceremony, held annually for more than 10 years, recognizes the 2nd Bomb Wing's top performers in the maintenance career fields across the base.

"This is a good way to recognize [Airmen] not just at the flight, but at the group level," said Tech. Sgt. Adam Levandowski, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons expediter who emceed the event.

This year's event comes after a successful and productive 2014.

"We've flown more than 1,200 sorties and amassed over 7,000 flight hours," he said. "We've had 13 aircraft maintenance inspections during which we inspected over 17,000 target items and discovered and corrected over 33,000 discrepancies."

The maintainers also worked on more than 917 pieces of mission critical and nuclear certified aerospace ground equipment, assembled more than 2,400 bombs, hosted several distinguished visitors and given numerous static tours.

"We've also won awards," Levandowski continued. "During the 2014 Global Strike Challenge, we won the Ellis Giant Sword... presented for best bomber maintenance in the command. Additionally, the 2nd AMXS won the best conventional weapons load team, and the 2nd Munitions Squadron won best conventional maintenance team."

Tech. Sgt. Erin Bernik, 2nd MXS lead crew member, won the Maintenance support professional of the year, NCO category.

"It was a big surprise to me but I'm very grateful," she said. "I was really surprised and extremely happy."

Bernik advises others to recognize their Airmen and make sure they're aware of opportunities to excel and to take any chance they can to go above and beyond the call of duty.