Squadron at MAFB inactivates Published June 5, 2013 By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A ceremony was held at Minot Air Force Base, May 31, to officially recognize the inactivation of the 5th Maintenance Operations Squadron. The squadron was comprised of three flights which included the Programs and Resource Flight, Maintenance Training Flight, and the Maintenance Operations Flight. The squadron was in charge of the administrative oversight of more than 120 Airmen. Members of these flights will now be directly responsible to the 5th Maintenance Group for the administration, analysis, training management, and programs and resources necessary to support the group production effort. All functions within the flights are expected to remain the same. The inactivation of the squadron is part of a Headquarters Air Force effort to make available additional officer positions from the ranks of junior and mid-grade level Majors. The Air Force Chief of Staff approved the inactivation of all MOS Air Force-wide, except in Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Wings. Inactivating the squadron, commanded by a major, and allowing company grade officers to oversee its functions as a flight, opens up operations officer billets and younger squadron commander billets in the rank of major. Outgoing commander of the 5th MOS, Maj. Aaron Rivers, explained that during the past 8 years there have been two reductions in their force which have shifted command positions and are designed to ultimately make squadron command opportunities more competitive and serve to better prepare officers for command. The ceremonial observance marked a halt to the squadron's lineage which dates back to 1943. The 5th MOS was activated at Minot in 2002 following a reorganization of the then 5th Logistics Support Squadron. Since 2002, the squadron has earned two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. "It is a bittersweet moment," said Rivers regarding what it felt like to be the last 5th MOS commander. "But I am proud to have served." He stated the members of the MOS serve a valuable function across the group and wing. "We are the unsung heroes...part of the larger picture that most people don't think about," said Rivers. Whether it is the members responsible for monitoring and managing resources for the group, or coordinating maintenance and logistics support activities on the B-52H Stratofortress, Rivers said his hat is off to all those who will maintain the functions of the MOS.