352d Maintenance Squadron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 352d Maintenance Squadron Is a maintenance squadron in the United States Air Force, United States European Command, it is currently based at Royal Air Force base RAF Mildenhall In Suffolk, eastern England
Contents |
[edit] Mission
The 352d Maintenance Squadron are the team that keep the aircraft of the 352d Special Operations Group in the air, providing maintenance for the Lockheed MC-130 -H "Combat Talon"/ -P "Combat Shadow" Heavy aircraft, and Sikorsky MH-53J/M "Pave Low" Helicopters, flown by the three operational squadrons of the group, as well as looking after the Quartermaster and administrative aspects of keeping the group combat ready.
[edit] Structure
The 352d Maintenance Squadron is divided into three main flights. The first being the Helicopter Maintenance Unit (HMU). The HMU is responsible for the maintenance, launch and recovery, and all immediate combat and sortie generation support pertaining to the helicopter mission.
The second is the Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU). Their mission is identical to the HMU's, only it is for support of the MC-130H Combat Talon IIs and MC-130P Combat Shadows.
Finally, the Maintenance Operations Flight (MOF) is responsible for phase/ISO inspections, backshop repairs, scheduling and coordination with the 3 operations squadrons, and all other administrative duties not otherwise accomplished by the HMU and AMU.
[edit] Assignments
There are currently 3 squadrons within the 352 SOG that operate aircraft, all maintained by 352d, these include -
- 7th Special Operations Squadron - Operating the MC-130H "Combat Talon II" Heavy Lifting Aircraft,
- 67th Special Operations Squadron - Operating the MC-130P "Combat Shadow" Heavy Lifting Aircraft,
(Both of those being essentially specially adapted Lockheed C-130 Hercules, one of the most versatile and rugged craft in the USAF's arsenal), and,
- 21st Special Operations Squadron - Operating the MH-53M "Pave Low" Helicopter, a modified Sikorsky CH-53 "Sea Stallion"
In all cases, the 352d Maintenance Squadron is responsible for the upkeep of engines, avionics, weapons controls, guidance systems, and all and sundry equipment for the aircraft themselves, keeping them combat ready at all times, and also performing quartermasters duties directly related with the craft, keeping adequate levels of spare parts, supplies, maintenance equipment, and munitions.
