Dover stands up new C-17 maintenance squadron

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th Airlift Wing W Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNEWS) --  The 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was stood up in an assumption-of-command ceremony here April 30.

The 736th AMXS will be responsible for maintaining the C-17 Globemaster IIIs, scheduled to start arriving this summer.

"This is all very, very exciting, yet humbling," said Lt. Col. Raymond Briggs, the new 736th AMXS commander, who assumed command in a combined 736th AMXS assumption of command ceremony and 3rd Airlift Squadron change of command ceremony here. "I'm excited by the energy here and the teamwork. Dover is 100 percent about the team."

Lt. Col. Keith Thibodeaux assumed command of the 3rd AS from Lt. Col. Michael Webb. The 3rd AS is now exclusively a C-17 squadron and flew their last C-5 Galaxy flight March 14.

The combined ceremony was very unique, said Col. Sam Cox, the 436th Airlift Wing commander. It was planned to highlight Dover's teamwork message.

By nature of being a combined active duty and Reserve base, the Airmen of Team Dover are engrained with the concepts of teamwork and unity. From the top wing leadership down, these concepts are emphasized.

"The first C-17 is scheduled to arrive here June 4," Colonel Cox said. "When combined with the C-5s here, they will provide all new dimensions of capability to Team Dover."

When the C-17s come online, the new squadron of maintainers will be ready to execute their part in the mission of fixing and flying aircraft, he said.

"Our motto, though not official yet, will be 'We are the Talons of the Eagle,'" said Colonel Briggs, who stated the proposed patch and motto are currently being finalized. "The Talon represents this new squadron as an integral part of the Eagle Wing."

The eagle is one of the most powerful birds of prey in the world and is frequently used symbolically as an icon of strength, supremacy or prosperity. In their ability to hunt, the talon is the eagle's most valuable tool.

"We are the talon and the tools represent what we do," continued the 736th AMXS's new commander. "We will fix and fly C-17s, safely and effectively, on time, every time."

With the entire globe as their area of responsibility, Dover's C-17 flight crews will support the warfighters around the world, Colonel Briggs said.

"Our mission is global, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round," he said.

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