36th MXS showcases strength, skill of maintainers during Maintenance Olympics

  • Published
  • By Airman Xavier Romero
  • 36th Wing
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  

The 36th Maintenance Squadron celebrated National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day with its first Maintenance Olympics on May 30, 2025, here.

National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day honors the vital contributions of Air Force maintainers and recognizes Charles Edward Taylor, the first aviation mechanic who helped power the Wright brothers' first flight.

“Aviation maintenance has been a cornerstone of Air Force readiness and superiority since the earliest days of military flight,” said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Powers, 36 MXS senior enlisted leader. “From the Wright brothers’ pioneering achievements to the modern complexities of fifth-generation aircraft and next-generation air dominance platforms, the expertise of maintainers has remained vital to mission success.”

During the competition, participants were tested on endurance, strength and patience.

The events challenged maintainers to navigate a maze while blindfolded, maneuver a tire through a set of cones and move heavy equipment back and forth throughout a hangar.

“Maintainers work hard but also play hard,” said Lt. Col. Robert Smith, commander of the 36th Maintenance Squadron. “This event allowed them to have fun and relax but more importantly to have a chance to be seen for their skills, competitive drive, and their overall pride.”

To determine the winning group, teams completed a fabrication challenge that required drilling a perfect circle into sheet metal to test their precision.

After determining the winning group, the 36 MXS held a bonus round to crown the top maintainer of this year’s olympics.

“Being crowned the Mightiest Maintainer is a real honor,” said Senior Airman Dingcheng Jin. “It took a lot of willpower, no doubt, but the support from everyone was what really got me through.”

Without skilled technicians, airpower would not exist. Maintainers remain the backbone of the Air Force mission, ensuring air superiority in any conflict, just as they have throughout history.

“You are challenged to continue upholding high standards, as our unit emblem states: Tenuit Excellentia,” Powers said. “You represent aptitude and potential in our unit’s goal of providing capability. Mighty maintenance is where capability meets execution.”