314th MOS becomes numbered flight

Published June 9, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The 314th Maintenance Operations Squadron here gained a new name and a new commander June 1, 2011, during a re-designation ceremony at Hangar 1080.

During the ceremony, Maj. Dennis Higuera, outgoing 314th MOS commander, relinquished command of the squadron by handing the squadron flag to Col. Steven Weld, 314th Maintenance Group commander.

The group commander then presented a new flag to the incoming commander, signifying the re-designation of the squadron as a numbered flight under the 314th MXG.

Capt. Bradley Allen, 314th Maintenance Operations Flight commander, accepted the new flag from Colonel Weld and expressed to those in attendance his commitment and vision for his unit.

"Just because the squadron is re-designated into a flight, it does not mean that the service provided by the 314th MOF will be any less," said Captain Allen. "To me, the re-designation is something for the history books, but the professionals here will produce the same excellence."

Re-designating the 314th MOS into a flight was based on the small number of members assigned to the unit.

The minimum positions required to remain a squadron is 35, said Staff Sgt. Tyler Hansen, 314th MOF facility manager. This is based on positions assigned, not personnel assigned. Some squadrons have far less than 35, but administratively are responsible for far more than that.

"Our squadron only has 30 personnel assigned ... so [Air Education and Training Command] determined that we would best be situated as a numbered flight under the 314th MXG for mission purposes," he said.

The 314th MOF is comprised of 30 members supporting 28 C-130 aircraft through plans, scheduling and documentation; maintenance analysis; military training; and plans and resource management. The flight manages the 314th MXG's $1.2 million operations and maintenance, and $20.1 million cost-per-hour programs budgets.