21st MXG deactivates, splits up

  • Published
  • By Corey Dahl
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 21st Maintenance Group officially deactivated May 15, part of an effort to better organize the 21st Space Wing's units.

Wing leaders and members of the 21MXG gathered in Hangar 140 to retire the group's guideon, recall the group's achievements and look to the future. As part of the reorganization, the 390-person group will splinter, with each unit falling under a new organization.

"Although this is the deactivation of the MXG, it's far from the end," Col. Jay Raymond, 21st SW commander, told the audience. "It is rather the beginning of even more integrated capabilities in the wing."

The 21MXG was made up of the 21st Space Communications Squadron, the 21st Maintenance Operations Flight and the Program Management Division - originally known as the 21st Space Management Flight.

Since 2002, the group was responsible for maintaining and supporting more than $76 million-worth of communications and computer systems at Peterson, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Schriever Air Force Base and the 21SW's geographically-separated units worldwide. The group also oversaw more than 400 contracts, collectively valued at over $2 billion, for space warning, control and surveillance missions.

In 2005 and 2007, the group won the Air Force Outstanding Unit award for its work.

The group unofficially stood down in January, and its individual units are transitioning into their new groups. The 21CS has joined the 21st Mission Support Group; the Project Management Division has moved under the 21SW staff; and Maintenance Operations now falls under the 21st Operations Support Squadron.

"As we undergo this transition, there's still a lot to be done," said Colonel Raymond. "But I'm confident we have the Airmen and the leadership to do it right."

However, one of the group's most influential leaders won't be around much longer, though. Col. Lyman Faith, who commanded the MXG for three years of its six year lifespan, will be moving to his new command at Minot AFB, N.D., soon. He used the ceremony as an opportunity to thank the men and women of his group for their hard work and ask them to serve their new groups just as well.

"To the men and women of the MXG, it has been an honor to work with you," he told the audience. "You have done a lot of hard things, and I know you will continue to do them."

 

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