28th MOS inactivated, not deactivated

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  A crowd of more than 100 Airmen, family members and civilians bore witness as Col. James Katrenak, 28th Maintenance Group commander, inactivated the 28th Maintenance Operations Squadron, June 3 during a special ceremony.

"As we retire the MOS guidon today, many of you may be asking yourselves, 'Are we no longer necessary?'" Katrenak said. "I'm here to tell you that's not the case. In fact, we need you more today than ever before as the 28th MOS becomes the 28th MXG maintenance operations."

The colonel said the Air Force reduced manpower in the maintenance officer career field, and as an unintentional result, there aren't enough field grade officers to fill command positions.

In essence, Ellsworth is not losing any personnel or equipment. All of those assets are being reorganized under a new squadron. One thing that will certainly remain unchanged is the vital role played by the base's B-1 maintainers according to wing leadership.

"The most critical responsibility for what will now be called maintenance operations falls on leadership," emphasized Katrenak. "Capt. Randall Turner, (28th MXG maintenance operations officer in charge), will take on most, if not all the duties, his predecessor Maj. Larry Rochat, (former 28th MOS commander), had during his command."

Turner said the squadron's lineage can be traced back to 1991, when it first stood up at Ellsworth as the 28th Logistics Support Squadron.

"There's a lot of history in this unit, and we plan to keep its legacy alive," said Turner. "MO Airmen still have the same responsibility as they did before. Our job doesn't change. I know it's a lot of responsibility to take on, but I look forward to my new position."