Maintenance operations squadron to be inactivated Published June 21, 2013 55 Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Maintenance Operations Squadron will officially stand down during an inactivation ceremony July 2 at the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility. The inactivation of the 55th MOS is part of an Air Force-wide effort to make available additional field grade officers. The 55th MOS ensures combat readiness for 33 aircraft, including 29 C-135 variants and four E-4Bs, while also maintaining the Maintenance Operations Center. "This inactivation is a necessity of the Air Force we're in today," said Col. Daniel Courtois, 55th Maintenance Group commander. "We have to ensure we have the correct ratio of field grade officers to company grade officers so we can meet the demand for future senior officers." The 55th MOS traces their lineage to the 55th Station Complement Squadron, which was activated on May 20, 1943. The squadron was disbanded on April 15, 1945, and then re-activated on Sept. 1, 1991, as the 55th Logistics Support Squadron. On Aug. 1, 2002, the squadron was re-designated as the 55th MOS. For more than 10 years now, the 55th MOS has managed deployment readiness and maintenance training, including formal, ancillary and on-the-job training for the maintenance group's approximately 1,100 airmen. The unit also provided manpower, engine and facilities management, as well as computer network systems support. "It's been an honor to lead this squadron and I'm proud to have served with such great Airmen and civilians," said Lt. Col. Don Hunt, 55th MOS commander. Hunt is the sixth and final commander of the 55th MOS. He said the Airmen of the squadron have performed a valuable service to the 55th Maintenance Group, helping the 55th Wing maintain a presence for more than 20 years in Southwest Asia. "Our squadron has always had a great work ethic and they know the importance they play to the overall mission success of the wing," he said. Currently the 55th MOS is home to more than 60 personnel and three flights. They include the programs and resources flight, maintenance training flight and the maintenance operations flight. "Following the inactivation, these units will transition to six sections and continue providing the same maintenance support functions as before," Hunt said. "Only now they will be administratively realigned under the 55th MXG staff as maintenance operations." By Oct. 1, all MOS units across the Air Force will be inactivated.