438th OMS

• Origins: The 438th Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS) was activated as part of the United States Air Force, primarily tasked with aircraft maintenance and support. • Parent Wing: The unit was assigned to the 438th Military Airlift Wing, which was based at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. • Aircraft Supported: The 438th OMS was responsible for the upkeep and readiness of large transport aircraft, including the C-141 Starlifter and, at times, the C-17 Globemaster III. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the 438th OMS played a vital role in maintaining strategic airlift capability, supporting global mobility and rapid deployment missions. • Operation Urgent Fury: Members of the squadron supported airlift operations during the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983, ensuring aircraft were mission-ready. • Desert Shield/Desert Storm: The 438th OMS provided critical maintenance for aircraft supporting Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s. • Awards: The squadron earned several Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its excellence in maintenance and mission readiness during peacetime and conflict. • Transition: In the 1990s, the squadron went through several reorganizations and was eventually inactivated as part of Air Force restructuring. • Legacy: Former members of the 438th OMS often recall a strong sense of camaraderie and pride in their vital behind-the-scenes role supporting Air Force operations. • Reunion and Remembrance: Veterans of the squadron continue to hold reunions and maintain online communities, preserving the history and stories of the 438th OMS.