4th AMXS Airmen prepare for Turkey Shoot

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aubrey Robinson
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  In remembrance of 4th Fighter Wing history made in World War II, Airmen from the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepared to launch 70 F-15E Strike Eagles for a training mission to eliminate more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across North Carolina, April 16.

If asked what extra work they have done to prepare for the 4th Fighter Wing's "Turkey Shoot," Airmen from the 4th AMXS would simply reply with 'nothing more than usual.'

"We already have a really high standard and perfection is what we aim for," said Airman 1st Class Jonathan Randall, 333rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit avionics specialist. "This is what we do every day."

During the 8th Air Force's WWII mission to destroy a grounded Lutwaffe, a competition began between the 4th and 56th Fighter Groups to see which group could take out the most enemy aircraft. The 4th FG finished with 1,016 aircraft destroyed, 10 more than the 56th FG. The 4th had destroyed the most enemy aircraft in Air Force History.

Nearly 70 years later, a similar competition between the four aircraft maintenance units has brewed.

"The Lancers are going to take it home," said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Marinos, 333rd AMU maintenance production superintendant. "The battle will be for second place."

While only one AMU will be deemed "winner", 4th AMXS maintainers are always prepared for a challenge, truly exemplifying the 4th FW's motto "Fourth but First."