509th MOS inactivated at Whiteman

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th Maintenance Group bid farewell to the 509th Maintenance Operations Squadron during an inactivation ceremony here July 15.

Although the squadron is inactivating, all maintenance functions currently performed will continue and all previously assigned personnel will fall under the 509th MXG Maintenance Group Staff.

The inactivation of MOS units will help sustain the maintenance career field by better aligning field and company grade officers with operational requirements.

"Tomorrow, the 509th MOS will come to work with the same mission they had today, and they will still be members of the best bomber maintenance group in the U.S. Air Force," said Col. Chase McCown, commander of the 509th MXG. "To the men and women of the 509th MOS, I say this: without each and every one of you, the daily maintenance business of this wing would fail.

"This is true no matter which guidon you follow, which patch is on the rug in your work center or the name of the organization on the door," McCown added.

McCown added the duties performed by plans and programs, analysis, scheduling, training, research engineering and the Maintenance Operations Center are the foundation for excellent maintenance on any aircraft and on any base.

The outgoing commander, Maj. Michael Bradley, will be heading down to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., as the B-2 Spirit weapons system team chief.

"It's hard to say what I'm most proud of, but the men and women of the 509th MOS were always on top of the inspection cycle. That cycle is constantly rotating here, and they were perpetually prepared to maintain their excellence," said Bradley. "Each day, they have surprised and impressed me with the professionalism they demonstrate in their jobs. For them, business will continue as usual."