For the C-130 maintenance crew at Robins Air Force Base, the hard work paid off as they won the 2012 Robert T. Mason Depot Award for having the best progammed depot line in the entire Department of Defense.
General Cedric George calls it "the Super Bowl of depot maintenance," and Robins beat out competitive groups from all branches of the military to win Robins AFB its first ever Mason Award.
They attribute their success to their efficiency in their work. Last year, their team brought 64 aircraft back to the warfighter and boasted a 100 percent on-time delivery rate.
They also managed to lower their work time on a plane from one year to just half a year. But they're not settling there. Their next goal is four months and even lower after that.
"They're pumping their fists, pounding chests," says Gen. George. "They know this is the best of the best."
The C-130 crew will accept their award in November at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they will also get their trophy to bring back on base with them.