509th MXG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Barebo
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Col. Matthew Kmon assumed command of the 509th Maintenance Group from Col. James Reavis during a change of command ceremony here May 14.

Brig. Gen. Robert Wheeler, 509th Bomb Wing commander, presided over the ceremony.

Colonel Kmon was previously the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, U.S. Forces Korea.

Colonel Kmon is responsible for leading more than 1,300 Air Force and contract maintainers executing revolutionary airpower. He directs the activities of four squadrons encompassing all aspects of the B-2, its support equipment and munitions. He is also responsible for balancing the B-2 fleet health and low observable maintenance workload along with operational requirements of 20 B-2s valued at $43.7 billion dollars.

"The 509th Maintenance Group has an outstanding history of providing well-maintained aircraft in support of the nation's best pilots," Colonel Kmon said. "We will expand that tradition with a healthy, well-trained, maintenance force."

As the new maintenance commander, Colonel Kmon said his goals are to ensure safe and compliant maintenance, continue targeting efficiency and improve the quality of life for our Airmen.

The 509th MXG maintains the nation's only long-range stealth bomber. The group provides full spectrum organizational and field-level maintenance and munitions support for the 509th Bomb Wing, employing 20 B-2 Spirit bombers. The group is also charged with supporting deployable long-range strategic airpower with complete maintenance and munitions packages for deployment and coordinates and engineers improvements with the program management office and higher headquarters.

Colonel Reavis will retire Aug. 1.