Maintenance Professionals shine Published March 14, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- More than 900 Thunderbolts gathered in Hangar 913 to celebrate excellence in the 56th Maintenance Group by honoring 146 maintenance professionals. The 56th MXG recognized its best and brightest performers Saturday during the annual Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet. The theme for the evening was "Best in the Business, Now and in the Future," and Maj. Gen. Arthur Morrill III, Defense Logistics Agency vice director, was the guest speaker. "When you stand in the presence of so many great maintainers you feel humbled by the great work, sacrifices and service that all of these Airmen have exhibited," said General Morrill. "Luke demonstrates an extremely high level of teamwork and it's an honor to be here." The focus of the evening was honoring annual winners in the maintenance group. "I've only been at Luke for a year and to be nominated for equipment technician of the year in the Airman's category is truly an honor," said Airman 1st Class Valerie Pemberton, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron propulsion systems apprentice. Awards were bestowed upon civilians, Airmen, NCOs and officers from different sections of the maintenance group. Honoring the people in each specialty was the most important aspect of the banquet. "This is the only time of the year that we can really cut loose and root on our year's top performers; it's awesome," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Kelting, 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit sortie generation superintendant.