The Department of War has announced the recipients of its prestigious 2025 Secretary of War Maintenance Awards, recognizing military units that have demonstrated exceptional skill in maintaining the complex machinery of America’s defense apparatus.
The winners, announced on January 29, 2026, represent achievements across all military branches during the competitive period spanning October 2023 through September 2024. The honorees were celebrated at a banquet held earlier this month on January 22.
Elite Maintenance Units Recognized
The coveted Phoenix Award, which recognizes the top field-level maintenance unit across all services, was presented to the 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group based at Camp Pendleton, California. This unit also claimed victory in the medium-category field-level competition.
What makes these awards particularly significant? They highlight the often-overlooked backbone of military readiness: the technicians and engineers who ensure weapons systems and equipment remain operational in challenging environments worldwide.
In the software arena, the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center received the Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper Award for Software Maintenance Excellence, acknowledging the growing importance of digital infrastructure in modern warfare.
The Robert T. Mason Award for Depot Maintenance Excellence went to the F-16 Depot Maintenance Team from the 573rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ogden Air Logistics Complex, recognizing their critical work maintaining one of the military’s most versatile fighter aircraft.
International Support Efforts Highlighted
Amid ongoing global tensions, the department placed special emphasis on units supporting international allies. The 31st Maintenance Group Country Teams from Aviano Air Base, Italy, received the 2025 Secretary of War Sustainment, Train, Advise, and Assist Award in the Ministerial Category, strengthening key NATO partnerships.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine Security Assistance Group J-4 staff, assigned to United States Army Europe and Africa, claimed the operational category win in the same award group — a reflection of America’s continued technical support for Ukraine’s defense forces.
Other field-level winners included a diverse array of units. In the small category: the Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SEVEN and the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, California. The medium category saw additional recognition for the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center serving the United States 5th and 6th Fleets in Naples, Italy.
Large category honors went to the 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and the 4th Maintenance Group from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
Innovation Takes Center Stage
Beyond the traditional maintenance awards, the department also recognized forward-thinking approaches through its Maintenance Innovation Challenge. The Grey Gecko Real-Time Inspection Tool (GRIT) by Gray Gecko, LLC emerged as the overall winner, with developers receiving a $50,000 prize at the DOW Maintenance Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona.
The People’s Choice award went to the Advanced Manufacturing Competitive Advantage Pathfinder, developed by the US Marine Corps’ Marine Depot Maintenance Command, who also received a $50,000 check at the symposium, according to a release.
These innovation awards reflect the department’s push to modernize maintenance operations through technology and creative problem-solving — essential capabilities as equipment grows increasingly sophisticated.
The maintenance awards should not be confused with the Department of Defense’s Environmental Awards program, which recognizes achievements in categories like Natural Resources Conservation and operates separately.
As military technology continues to advance in complexity, these awards underscore a simple truth: even the most sophisticated weapons systems are only as effective as the dedicated teams that keep them running.
