374 MXG welcomes new commander

Photo By Yasuo Osakabe | Col. Sean Robertson, 374th Maintenance Group incoming commander, gives a speech during a change of command ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 20, 2016. Robertson served as the deputy commander of the 374 MXG for three years prior to his current position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)  

YOKOTA AIR BASE, TOKYO, JAPAN

06.21.2016

Story by Yasuo Osakabe 

374th Airlift Wing

The outgoing commander of the 374th Maintenance Group, Col. Steven James, said farewell to his Airmen during a change of command ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 20.

Col. Sean Robertson assumed command of the 374 MXG after serving as the group’s deputy commander for the past three years.

“Today is about thanking you and it is about continuing a tradition of excellence that has already been set here at Yokota.” Robertson said. “The capabilities of Yokota are well known across the Pacific Command area of responsibility and many of those capabilities are made possible because of the hard work and dedication of the men and women standing before you that work tirelessly on the flightline and in the back shops.”

The 374 MXG supports the C-130 Hercules, C-12 Hurons, and UH-1N Iroquois here. Nearly 600 active-duty Airmen, Department of Defense civilians and local national employees work hand-in-hand to clean, inspect, secure, repair, paint and launch the variety of aircraft.

“We move into the next chapter for the 374th Maintenance Group,” Robertson said. “We will continue to look for smarter and safer ways to do maintenance and accomplish the tasks set before us. We will aggressively address all challenges whether it be as simple as a tire change or as complicated as transitioning to the C-130J.

“Maintenance just doesn’t happen…we make it happen,” he added.

These aircraft specialize in airlift, moving personnel, supplies and cargo for humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific Region. The group coordinates and controls scheduled and unscheduled aircraft maintenance to ensure unit readiness for assigned and transient aircraft.

During the ceremony, the 374 Airlift Wing commander, Col. Douglas DeLaMater, spoke on the accolades of the 374 MXG and the “greatness” restored by the leaving MXG commander.

“[The greatness] can be seen and felt all across the vast expanse of this massive area of responsibility, which is the largest and most strategically significant of them all,” DeLaMater expressed. “From within the largest metropolis in human history, right here in Tokyo, to the most remote and isolated settlements on planet Earth (during Operation Christmas Drop) to the very rooftop of the world, in Nepal, and everywhere else in between, the Airmen of the 374 Maintenance Group have unmistakably and undeniably made their mark, delivering hope when hope seemed forlorn, delivering faith in humanity when there seemed to be little cause for such faith, and when called upon, delivering unmistakable strength and resolve in the face of challenges by those who would oppose peaceful purposes of the great U.S.-Japan alliance.”

• Date Taken: 06.21.2016
• Date Posted: 06.27.2016 23:45
• Story ID: 202608
• Location: YOKOTA AIR BASE, TOKYO, JP