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History of 19th FMS

The 19th Fighter Maintenance Squadron (19th FMS) was a vital support unit within the United States Air Force, primarily responsible for maintaining and servicing fighter aircraft assigned to its parent wing. It played a key role in ensuring the combat readiness and operational capability of aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon during its active years. The squadron supported various deployments and training exercises, both stateside and overseas, contributing to the overall mission effectiveness of the Air Force. Through its dedication to aircraft maintenance excellence, the 19th FMS upheld high standards of safety and mission accomplishment until its inactivation or redesignation in subsequent Air Force organizational changes.

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ABOUT 19th FMS

  • Origins: The 19th Fighter Maintenance Squadron (19th FMS) traces its roots to the early days of the Cold War, providing vital maintenance support to fighter aircraft within the 19th Airlift Wing and related units.
  • Aircraft Expertise: Throughout its history, the 19th FMS has maintained a wide range of aircraft, including fighters and later airlift platforms such as the C-130 Hercules.
  • Key Deployments: The squadron has supported numerous deployments, including Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, ensuring mission-ready aircraft for combat operations.
  • Innovation in Maintenance: The 19th FMS has been recognized for pioneering maintenance procedures and adopting cutting-edge technologies to reduce aircraft downtime and increase sortie rates.
  • Humanitarian Missions: Beyond combat, the unit has played a critical role in humanitarian airlift missions, supporting disaster relief efforts worldwide.
  • Unit Awards: The 19th FMS has received multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its exceptional performance and unit cohesion under demanding circumstances.
  • Training Excellence: The squadron is known for its robust technical training programs, producing some of the most skilled maintainers in the Air Force.
  • Base Locations: Over the years, the 19th FMS has been stationed at several key Air Force installations, including Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
  • Community Involvement: Members of the 19th FMS often volunteer in local communities, strengthening ties between the military and civilian populations.
  • Legacy of Readiness: The enduring motto of the 19th FMS emphasizes readiness and reliability, embodying the unit's crucial support to Air Force combat and mobility operations for over half a century.

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