763rd changes to 823rd Maintenance Squadron Published April 12, 2012 By Senior Airman Jack Sanders 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The 763rd Maintenance Squadron transitioned to the 823rd Maintenance Squadron Apr.10 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The name change signifies the squadron's alignment with its sister-squadrons to become a more cohesive unit. The 763rd originally fell under the 563rd Maintenance Group at Air Force Special Operations Command, but the squadron was redesignated after it moved to Air Combat Command and the 23rd Maintenance Group. "[This transition] will align us with the rest of the 23rd Maintenance Group," said Chief Master Sgt. McKinney Crawford, 763rd MXG maintenance superintendant. "Our squadrons are all HH-60 helicopter squadrons. The one in Moody [Air Force Base] is the 723rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the one in Davis-Mothan [Air Force Base] is 923rd MXS, but we're still carrying 763rd MXS, which is the old designator from AFSOC when we use to fall under 563rd group." Squadron members said they are excited for the change over and alignment with sister squadrons. "We'll be part of a three-squadron group," said Master Sgt. Dana Sawyer, 763rd MXS weapons section chief. Sawyer said the change is important for the group because it demonstrates, "the unity of the three different squadrons." The day-to-day operations for those under the 763rd MXG will not differ because of the redesignation. "[This transition is] going to be pretty much transparent to everyone that works here," Crawford said. "It's not going to encompass anything new, and we won't have to reorganize any flight, section or anything like that. "What the change does do for us is make sure we know what our identity is," he said. "And, that is very important." The squadron's new identity and pride are reflected throughout Airmen of the 823rd MXS. "Showing the unity of the three different squadrons is important," Sawyer said. "I think it actually instills more pride to be part of something bigger. We feel like we're more of a team." Update, April 17, 2012: Corrections provided by Col. Gary Henderson, former 23 WG/CC: "The 763 AMXS did stand up as an AFSOC unit in 2003, but was under the 563rd Rescue Group, headquartered at Davis-Monthan AFB. In the 2006 timeframe when all the Rescue assets moved back to ACC. At that time the 763rd fell under the 23rd Wing, in ACC, at Moody. Also, the 23 MXG has 7 squadrons: the 23 AMXS, 23 CMS, 23 EMS, 23 MOS, 723 AMXS, 823 AMXS and 923 AMXS...not the 3 that are quoted from MSgt Sawyer. There are 3 Rescue oriented AMXS squadrons in the 23rd Wing, and they are responsible for saving lives around the world every day." Col Henderson also expressed his personal pride for "the rescue maintainers at Nellis, the 2500 strong 23 MXG, and all the Flying Tigers across the USA."
