MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 23rd Maintenance Group recently stood-up the 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron and the 23rd Component Maintenance Squadron to provide better support to Moody aircraft.
With the continuing arrival of the 23rd Fighter Group and its A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, the 23rd MXG needed to make adjustments to accept its new missions.
"The A10C mission drove our decision to create two separate maintenance entities," said Maj. William Holt, 23rd EMS commander. "After numerous brainstorming process' we came to the best possible solution; the break-down of the 723rd Maintenance Squadron into the 23rd EMS and CMS.
"The idea of two separate maintenance squadrons is one with historical roots," he added. "Years ago, maintenance squadrons were traditionally divided between an EMS and Component Repair Squadron."
Although the squadrons are still going through a transition period, the first months of the new system have been smooth, said Maj. Ben Smith, 23rd CMS commander.
"Airmen are still performing the same functions they upheld under the former single-unit maintenance squadron," added Major Smith. "The largest changes are within squadron designation and leadership."
The 23rd CMS is in charge of the propulsion flight and accessories flight, which includes the aircraft fuels, electrics, and hydraulics sections and the egress section. The EMS is in charge of armament systems, munitions, aerospace ground equipment, fabrication and heavy maintenance.
"Both the 23rd EMS and CMS have their fingers spread throughout the wing," said Maj. Richard Holifield, 23rd EMS operations officer. "Our Airmen are a critical link to functions on base varying from maintaining 23rd Wing munitions to painting aircraft and equipment to conducting heavy maintenance inspections on A-10 or Combat Search and Rescue equipment."
When the need to restructure maintenance arose, the first goal was to provide Moody with the best possible maintenance management arrangement for long-term sustained fleet health, said Major Holt.
"The 723rd MXS considered the mandate of (Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century) when focusing on creating a more efficient structure for maintenance operations," he said. "We really tried to maintain an AFSO-21 focus while laying the ground-work for the 23rd EMS and CMS stand-up."
"We feel these changes allowed us to encapsulate AFSO-21," said Major Holt. "Not only will this help us in the short-term, but in the long-term, this stand-up will allow us to accomplish our goals of working smarter, not harder."