From Fighter Jets to AMSOIL Synthetic Oil: A Journey Rich in Core Values

From Fighter Jets to Synthetic Oil: The AMSOIL Way

The 148th Fighter Wing "Red Tails" embodies the core values of AMSOIL — determination, teamwork, integrity, and excellence.

In a new episode of the Hot Rod History Lesson series on Racer Network, AMSOIL President and CEO Alan Amatuzio, along with Board Member Dean Alexander, shared behind-the-scenes stories about the journey of AMSOIL. The episode effectively highlighted key milestones in the company's history. However, there is one story that deserves special attention — read on to discover more.

The William Tell competition is a U.S. Air Force air-to-air weapons meeting where elite flying units compete against each other through a series of missions simulating real combat scenarios with enemy aircraft. The 148th Minnesota Air National Guard Wing operated the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, also known as the "Deuces" and "Red Tails."

A special group within the Red Tails, known as the “Aces of Deuces,” won the William Tell competition in 1970. The way they achieved this remarkable feat is directly linked to AMSOIL's business philosophy. The image of the winning team flying in formation is symbolic of how we operate at AMSOIL — with determination, collaboration, integrity, and excellence.

Their success story began with the maintenance and operational team, who carefully crafted a plan by reviewing the records of all aircraft in service and selecting the best and most stable ones to compete. The best pilots and weapons controllers were then chosen.

Over the next three months, the team of pilots, controllers, and maintenance technicians practiced every air defense scenario they might encounter at the competition, ensuring that the aircraft were maintained to the highest technical standards. Aerospace and radar experts even planned to mitigate the effects of high humidity they would face in Florida.

A team of 36 participated in the William Tell competition, including 30 maintenance technicians and 6 pilots. Only 4 pilots executed the flying missions, but they could not have succeeded without the valuable contributions of the entire team. From hours of data analysis, thorough equipment adjustments, to meticulous aircraft maintenance — it was all a collaborative effort to put the 148th Wing in the best position to win.

The 148th Wing was not expected to win at the William Tell competition. As a small unit based in Duluth, Minnesota, they lacked the resources and glamour of larger, more prestigious Air Force bases. But they possessed commitment, determination, and focus. They brought their best, and this close