An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

385th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron activated at Al Udeid

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Enjoli Saunders
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  

 

The 379 Air Expeditionary Wing hosted an activation ceremony for the 385 Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here on June 6.

 

The brand-new unit joining the wing will contribute to increased aircraft maintenance functionality along with offering support to allied forces.   

 

Col. Matthew Groves, 385th Air Expeditionary Group commander, presided over the ceremony where Lt. Col. Tiffany Feet assumed command of the squadron.

 

“Aligning these aircraft and personnel under Air Mobility Command allows rapid movement anywhere on the globe,” said Feet. “The 385 EAMXS will provide unrivaled maintenance support enabling aerial refueling and rapid combat airlift to our coalition and joint force partners.”

 

The activation of the 385 EAMXS is a significant milestone for the 379 AEW as well as the entire U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The energy and effort required to successfully stand up this unit has been substantial.

 

“Activating this squadron has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences that the Air Force has ever asked me to do,” said Feet. “Any endeavor this large is always a team effort and we have received amazing support. Subject matter experts have come from almost every unit in the wing to work side by side with us to get the unit up and running.”


The new unit consists of approximately 400 aircraft maintenance personnel who provide aircraft servicing and maintenance for the KC-135 Stratotanker and the C-130 Hercules.

 “I am amazed at what Lt. Col. Feet and her team have accomplished,” said Groves. “The mission accomplishment has been uninterrupted and maintained 10 percent above a home station maintenance squadron.”

Feet’s expectations for the unit are to deliver premier field-level maintenance and combat-ready aircraft worldwide in support of the combatant command’s missions.

 

The 385 EAMXS will be a vital component in assisting with quick response to emerging global events while simultaneously ensuring sustained support to current and upcoming operations, according to unit leadership.