753rd SOAMXS holds redesignation ceremony Published June 25, 2024 By Yasuo Osakabe 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 753rd Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was redesignated as the 21st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron during a ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 21. The redesignation marks the completion of the squadron’s transformation into a singular force as the 21st SOAMXS, in-line with Air Force Special Operations Command’s strategic vision and operational imperatives. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Cranford, right, 753rd Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, unfurls the new 21st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron guidon during the 753rd SOAMXS redesignation ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 21, 2024. The 753rd SOAMXS was redesignated as the 21st SOAMXS in line with Air Force Special Operations Command’s strategic vision and operational imperatives. This effort optimizes unit and individual readiness, collaboration and combat effectiveness between the 21st SOAMXS and 21st Special Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Sharing the same number designator as the 21st Special Operations Squadron is an honor and underscores the unity, cohesion and dedication to collective mission success,” said Lt. Col. Eric Cranford, 21st SOAMXS commander. The 21st SOAMXS will generate CV-22 Osprey sorties for the 21st SOS missions consisting of day or night, all-weather, low-level penetration of denied territory to provide infiltration, exfiltration, resupply or fire support for special operations forces. “I must highlight the unprecedented relationship we share with our operations counterparts in the 21st SOS,” said Cranford. “Our seamless collaboration ensures that we can execute our missions with precision and effectiveness.” The squadron’s lineage began on July 1, 2019, when the Air Force stood up the 753rd SOAMXS at Yokota. The unit participated in exercises Cobra Gold in Thailand, Keen Sword in Japan, and Balikatan in the Philippines. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kelsey Cavender, 21st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron CV-22 crew chief, applies the new 21st SOAMXS patch on his uniform during the 753rd SOAMXS redesignation ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 21, 2024. The 753rd SOAMXS was redesignated as the 21st SOAMXS in line with Air Force Special Operations Command’s strategic vision and operational imperatives. This effort optimizes unit and individual readiness, collaboration and combat effectiveness between the 21st SOAMXS and 21st Special Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The designation transforms the squadron to help its Airmen better align with the scope of its mission: to develop elite maintainers ready to generate safe, reliable aircraft to execute special operations missions. “Moving forward into the future as the 21st SOAMXS, we will continue to succeed with special operations forces truths at the core of our culture: ‘Humans are more important than hardware’,” Cranford said. “We will continue to invest in our Airmen’s development, provide them with the best training and resources, and support them in every possible way.” This redesignation marks one way AFSOC is transforming to address the challenges presented by today’s complex national security environment requiring a multi-lens, multi-layer approach.