ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- At the heart of aircraft maintenance for the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, lies the 402nd Maintenance Support Group, a team dedicated to ensuring the readiness and sustainability of Air Force weapon systems.
Their mission is multifaceted, providing depot-level maintenance through design, manufacture, maintenance, testing, and program management services, all in support of the complex.
“The 402nd MXSG keeps the mission moving,” said Randy Broach, Mission Support Group director. “From 99% equipment uptime to rapid calibration and air ground equipment repair, our team ensures WR-ALC can deliver airpower quickly and reliably to the warfighter.”
The group is comprised of approximately 575 personnel across two squadrons and three branches and manages over 2.3 million production hours annually.
They support a vast infrastructure of over 168 buildings and 23 aircraft hangars, in a 5.5 million-square-foot industrial area, demonstrating their critical role in keeping the Air Force’s aircraft and equipment in optimal condition.
The 402nd MXSG provides a wide array of essential services, from industrial equipment maintenance to engineering support and laboratory testing. The group’s operational reach also extends well beyond WR-ALC.
“The WR-ALC is our major customer, but the MXSG’s reach extends far beyond,” said Tim Johnson, 402nd MXSG Production Operations Branch mission support chief. “It supports organizations across the services, including the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Defense Logistics Agency, and even provides testing and analysis services for the entire military.”
Johnson also explained the division of responsibilities across the group’s squadrons and branches.
“The 802nd Maintenance Support Squadron provides scientific engineering and calibration services, ensuring weapon systems are reliable and maintained on schedule,” he said. “The engineering branch focuses on planning and executing maintenance and repair programs, while the production support branch ensures the availability of necessary materials and tools.”
Dalton Dabbs, 402nd MXSS director, emphasized the importance of maintaining support equipment to ensure production stays on track.
“The way I describe MXSG to people who do not work on base is that we maintain all of the equipment that is used to maintain the aircraft and aircraft components,” he said. “We add value by increasing machines and equipment run time so that the production organizations can focus all their time and effort on the assets that are their primary responsibility.”
Chris Maddox, 402nd MXSG control center team lead, echoed the critical nature of the group’s functions.
“Our machine operations, tooling, metrology, calibration, and vital equipment maintenance are essential; without these services, our depot cannot return aircraft to the warfighter,” said Maddox.
David Foskey, 402nd MXSG deputy director, shared the pride he feels being part of the team.
“The WR-ALC does not successfully produce quality aircraft without the hard work from the MXSG team,” he said. “Each person in the group should go home each day with the satisfaction and mindset that they have made a difference in the freedom that the Air Force provides to our great country.”