Maintenance Unit Realigned for a new role

  • Published
  • By Captain Philip Cortez
  • 433 Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland --  Col. Charles Combs, 433rd Maintenance Group Commander, assumed direct supervision of the 433rd Maintenance Operation Squadron from Commander Lt. Col. David Rodriguez during an inactivation ceremony here Sept. 12.

Col. Aaron Vangelisti, 433rd Airlift Wing vice commander and Command Chief Master Sgt. Emil Garza, were also in attendance for the ceremony. Combs, talked about the reason for the deactivation. "As we try to find more ways to trim and deactivate smaller units, we must make long-term beneficial decisions," Combs said. "This is one step further down the road to a more efficient, effective Air Force."

The inactivation of MOS is part of an Air Force -wide initiative to restructure the aircraft maintenance career field and better align maintenance, with the goals set forth by the Air Force Reserve Command for the upcoming fiscal years.

Rodriguez has been the squadron commander since 2012, and expressed disappointment in the restructuring, but also emphasized a sense of pride and optimism for the new role of the MOS.
"I express my regret for losing such an excellent squadron," Rodriguez said to members of the MOS. "I have no doubt the MXG will continue to support all MOS Airmen. "
Rodriguez also spoke of the opportunities that all the members of the MOS would have under the realignment.

"The Air Force had it right by initially establishing the MOS but know that under the leadership of the MXG, you will continue to be supported and taken care of equal to or better than what you've experienced to date," Rodriguez stated.

During the ceremony, Rodriguez, who was affectionately known in the squadron as "El Jaffe," was presented with a wooden plaque as a token of appreciation from members of the squadron by Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Rittwager, 433 MOS Superintendent. He reminded the members of his favorite expression:
"Where else would I rather be than at work serving the men and women of the MOS?"