Photo By Master Sgt. Daniel Reed | U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Zach Cook, 173 Fighter Wing Public Affairs...... read more read more
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EIELSON AFB, Alaska -- More than 70 airmen from the 173rd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group (MXG) and Mission Support Group (MSG) participated in an annual training event, Arctic Wrench, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026.
Kingsley Field airmen were provided an opportunity to train with members of the 168th Fighter Wing, 354th Operations Support Squadron, 355th Fighter Squadron and 356th Fighter Squadron, to become more capable as “Mission Ready Airmen”.
“The MXG gaineddirect, hands-on exposure on how the “Mission Ready Airman” concept fits into the 5th generation fighter platform,” said Master Sgt. Zachary Vaughn, 173rd Maintenance Group, Quality Assurance Inspector. “All MXG AFSCs were able to see how their specific work center fits into the greater role of producing the next aircraft sorties.”
Airmen of the 173FW were able to gain hands-on experience with the F-35, clear a two-year Vehicle Maintenance Limited Technical Inspections and disposition preparation backlog, and accomplish heavy weapons qualifications, all while embracing challenges that came from field conditions and limited resources.
Senior Master Sgt. James Childs, 173MSG, Vehicle Management Superintendent and Fleet Manager added, “The whole experience gave our mechanics an opportunity to see and understand how vehicles that operate at -50 degrees must be prepared and maintained to meet the mission under such harsh weather conditions.”
Exercise Arctic Wrench was a part of the Wing’s first Annual Training Readiness and Lethality event, with Eielson AFB as one of nine geographically separated training locations. This gave airmen the opportunity to train, adapt and overcome challenges and conditions in a variety of environments.
“We returned more ready and lethal, as well as challenged and better educated, with a greater sense of unity and cohesiveness,” said Chief Master Sgt. Barbara Bennett, 173rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, First Seargent. “I’m proud of each of our airmen, who committed themselves to taking this exercise seriously and representing Kingsley Field well.”
Col. Adam Gaudinski, 173rd Fighter Wing, commander, tasked airmen at the start of the Wing Annual Training event to “learn something new, sharpen your skills, and embrace every opportunity to become better than you were yesterday.”
“Readiness is never an accident. This event made us earn it through preparation and our willingness to embrace difficult conditions before they become real-world requirements,” concluded Gaudinski. “When America needs combat-ready Airmen, we’ll be ready to respond.”
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2026 15:11 |
| Story ID: | 572454 |
| Location: | ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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