The 908th Airlift Wing has an active-duty associate mission partner on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama for the first time.
Detachment 3 of the 58th Operations Group had an official activation ceremony Jan. 31, on Maxwell.
Det. 3 will provide mission support to the 908th’s flying training mission and local support to Air Education and Training Command’s mission of managing MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter training courseware and syllabi. The detachment will also assist in the responsibility of providing trained Grey Wolf pilots and special mission aviators to four major commands, ensuring aircrew are members are trained and qualified for worldwide employment in nuclear security, VIP transportation operations, and survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training support.
Commander of the 58th OG, Col. Derek Price, was the presiding official for the activation ceremony and for the assumption of command where the Air Force’s newest detachment welcomed Lt. Col. Derek Cumbie as its commander.
“Today, after 60 years of remarkable service, we are taking a significant stride towards the eventual retirement of the Huey fleet, and welcoming its replacement,” said Price. “Since the inception of the MH-139A Grey Wolf in 2018, it has been a long road of research, development, testing, coordinating with international agencies, battling delays, overcoming logistical challenges, and finding a new home for the [formal training unit]. An FTU that will shape professional rotary wing aviators for many decades to come.”