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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.
The 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron provides combat-ready aircraft for the Air Force's most forward deployed permanently-based fighter wing. As the most permanently forward-deployed flightline maintenance squadron in the world, it is responsible for conducting on-and-off equipment maintenance for A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and F-16CM Fighting Falcon aircraft valued at $1.1 billion. It is one of four squadrons assigned to the 51st Maintenance Group, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The squadron consists of two Aircraft Maintenance Units (AMUs). The 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron trains hard to defend the Republic of Korea and support the wing's motto "Ready to Fight and Win Tonight!"
HISTORY
The 51 AMXS was first activated on Aug. 18, 1948, at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and was responsible for all aircraft maintenance on the wing's F-80A and F-80C Shooting Star aircraft. On Sept. 25, 1950, the squadron deployed to Itazuke Air Base, 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 of maintenance operations at Tsuiki Air Base, Japan. Between 1951 and 1953, squadron Airmen performed intermediate and depot-level maintenance repairs on F-80s and F-86 Sabers.
The 51 AMXS returned to Naha Air Base by Aug. 1, 1954, where it remained for the next 17 years. Airmen worked on the F-86D and F-102A Delta Daggers at Naha, but also deployed to South Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea for contingency operations. The squadron was inactivated on May 31, 1971.
The squadron was reactivated on Sept. 20, 1974, at Osan Air Base, South Korea, as the 51st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and given a multi-aircraft support role. Early in 1978, it became the 51st Aircraft Generation Squadron as it performed on-line, aircraft maintenance under the Deputy Commander for Maintenance. This mission continued through the 1990s until the squadron was inactivated in February 1992. On Sept. 30, 2002, the squadron was reactivated as the 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron under the Combat Wing concept. During its 35+ years at Osan Air Base, Airmen have performed maintenance on four different combat aircraft: F-4E Phantom II, OV-10 Branco, A/OA-10, and F-16C/D.
Airmen assigned to the 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) have provided the 51st Fighter Wing with aircraft maintenance support for nearly 64 years during periods of war and peace. It is the oldest squadron assigned to the 51st Maintenance Group.
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 9 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and one Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
51 AMXS Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) Information
25 AMU - "Mighty 25, PILSUNG" This 25th AMU directs all production efforts of maintenance personnel assigned to the A-10C aircraft and equipment. They analyze maintenance performance indicators to identify adverse trends and recommend corrective actions to 51st Fighter Wing leadership. They coordinate with the 25th Fighter Squadron to maximize pilot training, maintain aircraft fleet health, and execute an annual flying hour program. Additionally, the 25th AMU oversees all training of assigned personnel to support peacetime and contingency operations on the Korean peninsula.
36 AMU - "Harrumph" The 36th AMU directs all production efforts of maintenance personnel assigned to the F-16CM aircraft and equipment. They analyze maintenance performance indicators to identify adverse trends and recommend corrective actions to 51st Fighter Wing leadership. They coordinate with the 36th Fighter Squadron to maximize pilot training, maintain aircraft fleet health, and execute an annual flying hour program. The 36th AMU oversees all training of assigned personnel to support peacetime and contingency operations on the Korean peninsula.