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U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. George Bender, 168th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Chief, tattoos Brian Dianoski, Fairbanks resident, at at a local tattoo shop in Fairbanks, Alaska, Sept. 27, 2023. The word GRIT was part of the art piece and stands for determination and courage to push through any challenge or obstacle with guts, resilience, initiative, and tenacity. Bender serves as a Chief Master Sgt. in the 168th Wing, 168th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in the Alaska Air National Guard at Eielson Air Force Base, and during his off-duty hours away from the unit, he delves into his love and passion for art as a professional tattoo artist in Fairbanks, Alaska. Over the years, Bender has drawn and developed designs for the KC-135 Stratotanker nose art, unit patches, and various projects for unit organizations such as Top 3. His art is currently on the Maintenance Group unit patch worn on the shoulders of all the MXG members, representing their pride in their maintenance craftsmanship. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)