433rd Maintenance Group welcomes new commader

Col. Charles M. Combs, right, accepts the guidon and command of the 433rd Maintenance Group from 433rd Mission Support Group commander, Col. Craig S. Petersen, on Sept. 11, 2011, during an assumption of command ceremony at the 433rd Airlift Wing fuel cell at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Collen McGee)

Colonel awaits to recieve command of 433rd Maintenance Group

Col. Charles M. Combs, Right, will accept the guidon and take command of the 433rd Maintenance Group from Col. Craig S. Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander. Chief Master Sgt. Gil Morales, 433rd Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, served as profer for the assumption of command held Sept. 11, 2011, at the 433rd Airlift Wing fuel cell at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. . (U.S.Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Collen McGee)

New 433 MXG commander makes bold statement

Col. Charles M. Combs, gained command of the 433rd Maintenance Group during and assumption of command ceremony held Sept. 11, 2011, at the 433rd Airlift Wing fuel cell at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. During his remarks he called the men and women under his command the best maintenance organization on the planet. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Collen McGee)

Commander's Cake: new colonel assumes command of 433rd Maintenance Group

The cake shown here was presented to Col. Charles M. Combs in celebration of his newsest assignment as the 433rd Maintenance Group commander. Combs gained command of the 433 MXG during an assumption of command held Sept. 11, 2011, at the 433rd Airlift Wing fuel cell at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. . (U.S.Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Collen McGee)

New maintenance group commander once again on Alamo Wing tarmac

Published Sept. 15, 2011
By Master Sgt. Collen McGee
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The first thing almost everyone asks about the new person in charge is, "What are they like to work for?"

Col. Charles Combs, who took command of the 433rd Maintenance Group, answered that within minutes of taking hold of the group's guidon, September 11, 2011.

"I had an old mentor who told me - I'm firm believer in this philosophy - It's kind of a three part deal and it's a two-way deal, okay?" Combs said, "I ask you to ... do the best job that you can. Don't do the fastest job you can, don't think that you have to break speed records. Do the best job that you can using your noggin, using what you've been trained to do, and follow the technical guidance that's been given to you. Do the best job you can and follow the rules.

"The third part is the two-way street part of that," he said. "It's my part of the job to get you what you need to do your job. That's my word to you. We will get you what you need to do the job."

But it wasn't just what he said that had one maintenance officer excited to be working with Combs. It was the fact that his resume backed up his speech with experience from right here on the Alamo Wing C-5 Galaxy ramp.

"As I read through the assumption of command script and realized Colonel Combs was formerly the squadron commander of the 433rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, I became enthusiastic with this unique opportunity to gain greater insight, mentorship and valuable guidance from someone who's walked the walk," said Maj. Jenny Martin, 433rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

The respect and eagerness to work together between Combs and Alamo Wing maintainers is mutual.

"I'm excited because you guys are the best professionals in the world," Combs said. "I don't know how else to describe it. I'm truly honored. This is going to be a tremendous privilege for me; to work with you guys. I'm looking forward to it."

Combs also admitted that he had a choice. He could have gone to another unit, but Lackland was where he wanted to be because while he was away from the Alamo Wing serving elsewhere, his family remained in San Antonio.

"I'm going to stay here as long as they let, me and we're going to get a lot done because I know that we are the best maintenance organization on the planet," said Combs.