Maxwell Air Force Base hosted a monumental event on Friday, May 31 as it welcomed the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, marking a new chapter in its operational history. The ceremony was a pivotal moment for the base and the surrounding community, highlighting both the strategic and economic implications of this addition to the 908th Airlift Wing's fleet.The MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters touched down at Maxwell Air Force Base earlier this year, setting the stage for the welcoming ceremony. The MH-139 FTU’s mission is to train pilots in providing security and support for the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile fields spanning Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska. The MH-139 mission will replace the mission of the Air Force Reserves’s 908th Airlift Wing’s aging C-130s previously at Maxwell AFB.
Alabama hosts a strong rotary-wing community with five Department of Defense service components, including U.S. Coast Guard, Army, Navy, and growing National Guard, Reserve, and industry presence. The introduction of the MH-139A Grey Wolf to Maxwell AFB is expected to significantly boost the local economy. The 908th Airlift Wing projected an increase in its economic impact on Alabama's River Region from $55 million to approximately $75 million annually. This substantial growth underscored the strategic importance of the base and its operations to the broader community.
The arrival of the Grey Wolf helicopters was not just a milestone for Maxwell AFB but also for the wing’s personnel, military families, and residents of Montgomery. Sixty percent of the wing’s personnel live, vote, and call Alabama their home. For the last four years these Reserve-Citizen Airmen have been going through a significant change as the 908th Airlift Wing prepares for a new mission, providing security and support to U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command for national nuclear surety and deterrence. Military families stationed in the area look forward to enhanced support and resources as the base continues to grow and modernize its fleet. Additionally, the new mission brings significant increases in flight hours, full-time reservists, students, and contractors, fostering a stronger bond between the base and the local community.
The significance of this ceremony resonates beyond the gates of Maxwell AFB. It marks a moment of pride and progress for all involved. The presence of MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters symbolizes the ongoing commitment of the Air Force to ensure the safety and readiness of its personnel and equipment.
