Undeterred by General Frost Published March 7, 2025 By Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer 910th Airlift Wing YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Cold air fills the lungs as each breath passes blushed skin burnt dry by the wind. Winter can be a harsh hurdle, but a mythical enemy it is not. An arctic blast ushered in 2025 at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, just within Lake Erie's snow belt, and returned for several repeat attacks in the months that followed. The new year brought a good bit of snow and several days in the teens or single digits falling into the negatives with wind chill. And yet the 910th Airlift Wing's mission went on unhampered to the credit of its Citizen Airmen. Col. Joe Winchester is the commander of the 910th Maintenance Group, responsible for ensuring the wing’s fleet of C-130 aircraft are mission-ready so that the operations group can execute the flying hour program. Members of his team continued their work through blizzards, freezing rain, sub-zero temperatures and gusting winds on the flightline at YARS. “We have a philosophy in the 910 MXG, 'It’s all about Maintenance!’” Said Winchester. “Maintenance personnel are the first ones in and the last ones out regardless of the weather. If we don’t do our jobs, then ops can’t do theirs.” While enduring frigid temperatures, the installation maintained full operations, remaining ‘reserve ready’ to provide agile combat support and employment as well as tactical airlift and aerial spray. “For overall wing mission success, it takes the wing staff, mission support group, the medical squadron and all helping agencies to keep us ready for deployment purposes and to support day-to-day operations,” said Winchester. "Many times, throughout the year, our operators and aircraft transport wing personnel to other bases for training which makes all base personnel our customers. Maintenance is first in and last out, and yes, ‘It’s all about maintenance!’” Due to the nature of its mission and geographic location, the 910th AW forges combat-ready Airmen experienced in tactical airpower capabilities in a varied and sometimes harsh climate. As the frost gives way to spring, the mission continues in whatever climate comes to battle.