51st Maintenance Squadron

The 51st Maintenance Squadron is one of four squadrons assigned to the 51st Maintenance Group, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. It is the most permanently forward-deployed maintenance back-shop squadron in the world and is responsible for conducting on-and-off equipment maintenance for A-10s and F-16s valued at $1.1 billion. The squadron consists of nine flights.

The 51st Maintenance Squadron trains hard to defend the Republic of Korea and support the wing's motto "Ready to Fight Tonight!"

Mission
Highly trained and motivated Airmen providing combat-ready aircraft for the Air Force's most forward deployed permanently-based fighter wing.

Vision
Ready to Fight Tonight in the Korean Theater!

History

Airmen assigned to the 51st Maintenance Squadron (MXS) have provided the 51st Fighter Wing with outstanding aircraft maintenance support for nearly 59 years during periods of war and peace. It is the oldest squadron assigned to the 51st Maintenance Group. There have been 44 commanders leading the squadron since it was first activated in 1948.

Throughout six decades of service, the squadron experienced one inactivation and six re-designations largely due to organizational or mission changes. The squadron has earned 12 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, five Korea War campaign streamers, and three Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations.

First activated on 18 August 1948 at Naha AB, Okinawa, the 51 MXS was responsible for all aircraft maintenance on the wing's F-80A and F-80C aircraft. On 25 September 1950, the squadron deployed to Itazuke AB, Japan, after the invasion of South Korea. Between October 1950 and October 1952, it moved five more times. From August 1951, the squadron was an integral part rear echelon maintenance operations at Tsuiki AB, Japan. Between August and November 1951, squadron airmen performed intermediate and depot-level maintenance repairs on F-80s; from November 1951, on F-86s; and from February 1953 on F-86s of four wings until 20 June 1954.

The 51 MXS returned to Naha AB by 1 August 1954 where it remained for the next 17 years. Airmen worked on the F-86D and F-102A at Naha, but also deployed to South Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea for contingency operations. It was inactivated on 31 May 1971.

The squadron was reactivated on 1 November 1971 at Osan AB, South Korea, as the 51st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron given a multi-aircraft support role. Early in 1972, it became the 51st Field Maintenance Sq, and in 1978, changed to the 51st Equipment Maintenance Sq as it performed off-line, aircraft maintenance under the Production Oriented Maintenance Organization. This mission continued through 1991 when the squadron returned to its 1950 designation on 7 February 1992 under the Objective Wing concept. During its 35+ years at Osan AB, Airmen have performed maintenance on four different combat aircraft: F-4E, OV-10, A/OA-10,
and F-16C/D.

Unit Designation and Date
51st Maintenance Sq, Fighter Jet -- 18 Aug 1948
51st Maintenance Sq -- 1 Feb 1950
51st Field Maintenance Sq -- 8 Nov 1954
51st Consolidated Aircraft Maint Sq -- 1 Nov 1971
51st Field Maintenance Sq -- 29 Feb 1972
51st Equipment Maintenance Sq -- 1 Jan 1978
51st Maintenance Sq -- 7 Feb 1992

51 MXS Flight Information

Accessories Flight
This flight covers Egress, Electro/Environmental, Hydraulics & Fuels system repair. They manage over $10.2M in equipment assets supporting flight line and back shop maintenance operations.

Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) Flight
This flight controls, modernizes and repairs AGE units worth $23M. They support the base infrastructure as required and provide transient aircraft support 365 days a year.

Avionics Flight
This flight provides precision targeting systems for the A-10 and F-16 fleet. They manage targeting/electronic attack pods worth $130M and automated test stations $160M. Additionally, they control all phases of maintenance, which support PACAF's centralized repair facility requirements.

Combat Readiness Flight
This flight covers a variety of specialties acting as the commander's support staff and being the primary liaison to other maintenance & support agencies to include Depot, DLA and Systems Program Offices.

Fabrication Flight
This flight specializes in metals technology, corrosion control and sheet metal. In addition to supporting A-10 and F-16 aircraft, they provide world-class fabrication capability for transient aircraft, U-2s, AGE, six static display wing aircraft and depot field teams.

Maintenance Flight
This flight supports intermediate/heavy level maintenance on the A-10 and F-16 fleet. Their flight spans seven career fields to include synchronizing support for AMC, 7 AF and 51 FW aircraft parking and transient alert support.

Maintenance Operations Flight
This flight is the operations cell for the entire maintenance squadron covering support for the A-10, F-16 and U-2. They ensure operational support across the 51 FW, prioritizing maintenance requirements for military personnel covering 24 career fields and eight flights. They enforce strict compliance with technical orders, AFIs & wing/group policies. Additionally, they act as the operational liaison to other maintenance & support agencies to include Depot, DLA and System Program Offices.

Propulsion Flight
This flight maintains $3M in test facilities and $2.4M in equipment. They develop procedures & establish policy/requirements for the wing oil analysis program affecting eight base agencies. Additionally, they coordinate with the base engine manager to complete scheduled engine removals in support of the A-10 and F-16 fleet.

TMDE (PMEL) Flight
This flight manages 5,800 equipment inventory spanning across 119 work centers to include executing PACAF-wide lateral support requests. They control $10.2M in equipment assets, ensuring compliance with AF Metrology & Calibration standards, AFI & technical order directives.

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