The 437th Maintenance Squadron (MXS) consist of seven flights which include 14 unique sections. Our no-fail mission is about providing safe, reliable aircraft and delivering uncompromised combat capability to the war fighter--absolutely anywhere in the world. MXS is composed of over 500 combat-ready maintainers and support personnel, comprised of Active Duty, Civilian, and Air Reserve Technician components. They inspect service, maintain, and support assigned C-17 aircraft and associated equipment at Joint Base Charleston. These maintainers enable aircraft to perform global airlift missions ranging from combat support operations and humanitarian relief to aeromedical evacuations. The squadron is also responsible for maintenance around the world through AEF and short-notice deployments in support of any mission, anywhere.
The 437th Maintenance Squadron is responsible for the maintenance of 51 assigned C-17A aircraft worth more than $10 billion dollars. MXS primarily performs back shop and flightline support to include structural, avionic, hydraulic, electrical, environmental, survival, and fuels maintenance. Additionally, we conduct scheduled Home Station Check (HSC) inspections, Non-Destructive Inspections (NDI), and Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) support. Our world-class Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory supports Test Measurement & Diagnostic Equipment maintenance for the entire region. Furthermore, our maintenance flight produces time critical wheel and tire assemblies for locations around the world.
With each and every day that passes, the "Mavericks" continue to improve processes, streamline procedures, and exude the squadron's slogan of "Only the Best!" That slogan, and its underlying themes, run rampant throughout the squadron and are embraced by the outstanding personnel assigned. Our team's flawless flightline and back shop support spurred a record 13,916 global mobility missions supporting 51,606 flying hours. Amazingly, Team Charleston boasted a 95% worldwide maintenance departure reliability-rate recognized as the best in AMC strategic airlift. Amazingly we achieved these phenomenal successes despite flying the oldest C-17s in the fleet. We did it through teamwork and by reaching for the STARS: Safety, Training, Attitude, Readiness, and Standards.
Our mission statement, "To provide unmatched on and off-equipment maintenance and the highest caliber personnel supporting the Global Reach mission," captures the spirit of what we do, the diverse support we provide, and reflects the enormous scope of operations these squadrons support. It recognizes that our efforts are not limited to the 437th/315th Airlift Wings or even to Air Mobility Command (AMC), but around the globe supporting the Air Force's Global Reach doctrine and mission.
Lineage
Constituted 437th Maintenance Squadron, Troop Carrier, Medium on 10 May 1949.
Activated in the Reserve on 27 June 1949.
Redesignated 437th Maintenance Squadron on 1 March 1950.
Ordered to Active Service on 10 August 1950.
Inactivated on 10 June 1952.
Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952.
Redesignated 437th Field Maintenance Squadron on 8 November 1954.
Inactivated on 16 November 1957.
Activated on 27 December 1965.
Organized on 8 January 1966.
Redesignated: 437th Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 1 August 1990; 437th Maintenance Squadron on 1 August 1994; 437th Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 1 April 1997; 437th Maintenance Squadron on 25 April 2000.
Assignments
437th Maintenance and Supply Group: 27 June 1949 - 10 June 1952; 15 June 1952 - 16 November 1957.
Military Air Transport Service: 27 December 1965 - 8 January 1966; 437th Military Airlift Wing: 8 January 1966 - 1 October 1991.
437th Logistics (later, 437th Maintenance) Group: 1 October 1991 - present.
Stations
Chicago-Orchard (later, O'Hare Field-Chicago International) Airport, Illinois: 27 June 1949 - 14 August 1950; Shaw AFB, South Carolina: 14 August - 16 October 1950; Brady Field, Japan: 8 November 1950 - 10 June 1952.
O'Hare International Airport, Illinois: 15 June 1952 - 16 November 1957.
Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina: 8 January 1966 - present.
Major Awards
1984 United States Air Force Outstanding Field Maintenance Squadron
1998 21st AF Maintenance Effectiveness Awards
1998 AMC Outstanding Maintenance Squadron
1998 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award HSC Action Workout
2002 Robert J. Collier Trophy AMC Nominee - Fuels Repair Section
2005 Air Force Maintenance Effectiveness Award
2006 Secretary of Defense Field Level Maintenance Award
Honors
Service Streamers
Korean Service
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:
[8 January] - 31 May 1966
11 July 1966 - 10 July 1967
11 July 1967 - 10 June 1968
11 July 1968 - 12 June 1969
13 June 1969 - 12 June 1970
1 July 1972 - 30 June 1973
1 July 1982 - 30 June 1984
1 June 1984 - 30 June 1986
1 July 1988 - 30 June 1989
1 July 1989 - 30 June 1990
21 September - 31 October 1989
1 July 1993 - 30 June 1995
1 July 1995 - 30 June 1997
1 July 1997 - 30 June 1998
1 July 1998 - 30 June 2000
With Valor 11 September 2001 - 30 June 2003
Emblem (Approved on 27 September 1966)
On a background of the day and night sky, indicating round-the-clock operations, a hand holding an aircraft appears as a symbol of the squadron's mission of support in keeping the aircraft flying. The triangle is an ancient Egyptian symbol, its three points representing the sun, moon, and stars. It is used to signify the heavens, from where our help comes. The motto expresses the spirit of our personnel. The emblem bears the Air Force colors, ultramarine blue and golden yellow.
Motto: "AD EXACTA CAPACES" (Can Do) [literally translated "To Exact Standards"]