Inactivation ceremony held for 39th Maintenance Group

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  A relinquishment-of-command ceremony marked the inactivation of the 39th Maintenance Group June 14 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

Col. Eric Gates, 39th MXG outgoing commander, relinquished command of the group to Col. Eric Beene, 39th Air Base Wing commander.

"This is an important day in the 39th Air Base Wing and the 39th Maintenance Group," said Colonel Beene. "We inactivate the group today because it's the right thing to do. This doesn't mean, however, that we value any less the contributions of all of our Airmen in the maintenance group. What you do every day here is incredibly important. I am honored to serve with you no matter what the guidon says."

The 39th MXG began its legacy when it was activated Jan. 14, 1942, as the 39th Air Depot Group at Olmsted Field, Penn.

The unit was renamed and moved numerous times to locations including San Bernardino, Calif., Elmendorf Field, Alaska, and Kelly Field, Texas.

The unit got another start in 1993 when it was activated as the 39th Logistics Group and located at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The unit was later re-designated as the 39th Maintenance Group until its inactivation July 16, 2003.

Once again, the unit was activated in March 2004 at Incirlik until its official inactivation July 1, 2011.

The 39th MXG has supported many missions to include Operations Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, New Dawn and Odyssey Dawn. The group's accomplishments include several Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and the 2004 U.S. Air Forces in Europe Maintenance Effectiveness Award in the Medium Unit Category.

As a gesture of respect and admiration, members from the 39th MXG rendered a salute to Colonel Gates one last time as their commander.

"While we may have changed an organization today, the mission remains the same," said Colonel Gates. "Don't forget that you are here to serve the operation of today and have the vision for tomorrow."

Colonel Gates plans to retire from the U.S. Air Force on June 30, 2011, after 27 years of service.