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403rd Wing activates new maintenance unit

  • Published
  • By Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
A new chapter began today with the activation of the 403rd Wing’s newest maintenance unit during a ceremony at the Consolidated Roberts Aircraft Maintenance Facility.

Maj. Brian Horton assumed command of the 803rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, which is responsible for the inspection, repair, launch and recovery of the wing’s 10 C-130Js flown by the 815th Airlift Squadron, a tactical airlift unit that transports supplies, equipment and personnel in a theater of operation

“I am honored to be your first commander,” said Horton, whose previous assignment was as the maintenance operations officer for the 908th Maintenance Group, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. “I give you my word that I will do everything in my power to give you the tools that you need to be successful.”

“You are on page one, chapter one of the new 803rd (AMXS) history,” said Col. Jay Johnson, 403rd Maintenance Group commander and the officiator for the ceremony today. “You are writing that history.”

Today is not only historic for the 403rd Wing but the nation. It was 15 years ago today when nearly 3,000 people lost their lives during terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

“As Americans, we were not deterred, not defeated; and it was our goal and mission to move forward and build a stronger and safer future for everybody,” said Horton. “Because of those attacks … units such as the 815th Airlift Squadron were called into combat to take the fight to the enemy. We need to remember that fight still goes on today; that is why we are here.”

The new maintenance squadron will employ 145 reservists, 55 of which will be full-time Air Reserve Technicians. The unit is recruiting for several maintenance positions to include crew chiefs, guidance and control, electricians, as well as engine and hydraulic specialists.

Plans to add the new unit were announced earlier this year. Once the Air Force announced in 2015 the 10 C-130Js would remain at Keesler, it was determined another maintenance squadron was needed to enable the maintenance group to support both flying missions simultaneously.

“That decision meant a bright new future for Keesler,” said Horton. “Now it’s time to rebuild. I look forward to our journey together both here at home station as well as down range when we get that call. I promise you that call will come, and we will be ready.”

The 403rd Wing is the only unit in the Air Force Reserve Command that owns and operates C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The unit received the first C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in the Air Force inventory in 1999 and the wing flies and maintains 20 of those aircraft. Ten are flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s Hurricane Hunters and the other 10 are flown by the 815th AS.