60th CMS, EMS to merge

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Shiraz Khan
  • 60th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  On June 6, the men and women of the 60th Component Maintenance Squadron and the 60th Equipment Maintenance Squadron will trade in their old squadron hats for new ones reading 60 MXS, representing the reactivated 60th Maintenance Squadron.

Both squadrons will consolidate in order to meet the changes to Travis' force structure, reduction in manning and better utilization of assets and manpower toward the Global War on Terrorism.

The merger order calls for an inactivation of 60th CMS and a redesignation of 60th EMS to 60th MXS. Both squadrons have experience with realignments and share a rich history at Travis.

The 60th CMS, activated Dec. 27, 1965, was originally constituted as the 60th Communications Electronics Maintenance Squadron. Subsequent years resulted in several redesignations for the squadron: 60th Avionics Maintenance Squadron on April 8, 1969; 60th Component Repair Squadron on Aug. 1, 1990; and the 60th CMS on Oct. 1, 2002.

The 60th EMS was originally constituted as the 60th Maintenance Squadron, Troop Carrier, Medium, activated July 1, 1948. Throughout the years, it was redesignated the 60th MXS, Troop Carrier, Heavy on Nov. 5, 1948; 60th MXS, Troop Carrier, Medium on Nov. 16, 1949; 60th MXS on March 1, 1950; 60th Field Maintenance Squadron on Nov. 15, 1954; 60th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on March 12, 1957; inactivated on Sept. 25, 1958; redesignated 60th Field Maintenance Squadron, and activated, Dec. 27, 1965; organized Jan. 8, 1966; redesignated 60th EMS on Aug. 1, 1990.

The outgoing squadron commanders are Lt. Col. Jerry Helms for 60th CMS and, for 60th EMS, Lt. Col. Sandy Richardson. The new 60th MXS commander is Maj. Heinz Huester.

"In today's environment, we're all looking for ways to keep our heads above water and make the mission happen every day," Major Huester said. "Our challenge in the next few years is to effectively swing capability to where it is needed most. Merging squadrons combines critical and increasingly scarce back-shop resources under one umbrella and allows us to better meet the varied needs of our three airframes and the people that support them."

From the production perspective, aspects of the merger will immediately be beneficial. Various agencies supporting C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender scheduled maintenance will now fall under one roof, opening the door for improved communication, coordination and prioritization which should ultimately translate into decreased aircraft inspection flow times, improved flightline support and the timely return of mission-ready airframes back to the fight.

From the people aspect, there will be myriad typical integration challenges. Making that task easier is the fact that though both squadrons have their own long-established cultures, they do share the same goals -- adapting and overcoming in a rapidly changing environment as well as making the Travis and AMC mission happen each and every day. 

The challenge for the new 60th MXS will be to live up to the high standards set before them by the men and women of the 60th CMS and 60th EMS before them.