JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony here, Jan. 13.
Maj. Jason Engle, former operations officer for the 437th Aerial Port Squadron, replaced Maj. Patrick Lowe, who is separating from the Air Force and joining the reserves.
Major Engle was born and raised in Belleville, Ill. After graduating from high school, Major Engle attended Southern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1996. He also earned his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps while at Southern Illinois.
Major Engle's first assignment was at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., where he was the chief of the logistics, plans and programs team for the 305th Air Mobility Wing.
From 1998 through 2008, Major Engle saw tours of duty at Scott AFB, Ill., Kadena Air Base, Japan, Michigan Technological University, Mich., the Combat Skills Course, Ft. Riley, Kan., and Afghanistan.
After guiding 74 soldiers and managing $100 million of Afghanistan National Army supply, fuel and ammunition for the ANA 203rd Corps and 16 downrange forward operating bases, Major Engle arrived at Charleston AFB and assumed the role of operations officer for the 437 APS.
Now, as the new commander of the 437 MOS, Major Engle said, "I'm focused on the Air Mobility Command Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection. We have 52 inspectors arriving Feb. 2.
"The 437 MOS has great Airman and I look forward to working with them. Our Airmen are experts at performing the mission. I want them to be safe, on and off duty, and know they can trust their commander to make the right decisions."
How do you feel about coming to Charleston? Charleston has a great mission and outstanding Airmen. Prior to Charleston, I was an Afghan supply mentor and before that, an AFROTC commandant of cadets, so I've been away from an Air Force base for almost four years. Being welcomed back to an Air Force base was a very, very comforting feeling.
What is the goal and mission of your agency? The 437 MOS has three flights; Operations (plans, scheduling, documentation and analysis), Maintenance Training, and Programs and Resources. The mission is to provide maintenance management support to the 437th Maintenance Group in order to execute the 437 Air Wing's mission in winning America's wars, guaranteeing sortie production today, while ensuring health-of-the-fleet tomorrow and into the future. The 437 MOS goals are focused on the 437 MXG's goals and support for our sister squadrons.
What was your most memorable assignment and why? I was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Contingency Airlift Director at the 17th Air Force Tanker Airlift Control Center. I had direct mission impact on a global scale at Scott AFB. Also, Scott AFB is my home town so it was a perfect balance of mission and family.
What is an interesting fact about yourself? I have an identical twin named Lance and he is a civilian for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in St. Louis, Mo. An Army colonel confused me for my brother when I was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan.
Why did you join the Air Force? I wanted to be a part of something greater. I would join the Air Force again if I had to do it all over ... again.
Who is your role model and why? That would have to be my mother. She put up with twin boys who fought all the time. We were good students, but we pushed her to the limits sometimes, I'm sure.