An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

McChord Airmen celebrate Log Fest 2016

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Horns blew loudly and sirens wailed as Airmen screamed and yelled. More than 500 Airmen from Team McChord cheered as this year's Knucklebuster was announced at the Log Fest 2016 Awards dinner April 29, 2016, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

An annual tradition for recognizing maintainers around the Air Force, Log Fest was hosted to recognize Team McChord's best maintainers.

Each year, the best of the best earns the Knucklebuster Award. Unlike traditional award nominees, Knucklebuster nominees are nominated by their peers for high work performance and overall character.

"It's about taking time to recognize their hard work," said Senior Master Sgt. Cari Mujica, 62nd Maintenance Group maintenance training superintendent. "Many times Airmen feel overworked, underpaid and unrecognized. We want them to know we see what they do every day and appreciate it."

Tech. Sgt. Jose Cardenas, a crew chief from the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was selected as the overall Log Fest winner and recipient of the Knucklebuster Award.

"I had no idea--I'm blown away and surprised," said Cardenas. "I am also very grateful for the Airmen I work with for nominating me. If it wasn't for their support, I wouldn't have won this award."

There was a total of 72 Knucklebuster nominees this year, nominated from five squadrons and the 62nd Maintenance Group.

"Knucklebusters are some of the hardest workers on the lowest level," said Mujica. "It was great to throw this informal event to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments." 

The event kicked off with a medallion ceremony for nominees followed by a social hour. The medallion ceremony was presided over by Col. John Knack, 62nd MXG deputy commander, and Lt. Col Joseph Muhlberger, 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander.

"Working together, this 'team of teams' provides excellence in rapid global mobility and enables all the other mission partners across JBLM to execute their missions without fail," said Knack. "These teams have succeeded at every part of the mission."

This year's squadron award winners were as follows:

Tech. Sgt. Jose Cardenas, 62nd AMXS.
Airman 1st Class Kyle Schwachter, 62nd Aerial Port Squadron.
Senior Airman Marcos Ramon, 62nd Maintenance Squadron.
Senior Airman Kyle Simpson, 62nd MXG staff.
Senior Airman, Nicolas Barrena, 627th LRS.
Tech Sgt. Andrew Wenrick 373rd Training Squadron.