1 SOHMXS changes name, keeps unique mission Published June 25, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane 1st Special Operations WIng Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Individuals hoping to find the 1st Special Operations Helicopter Maintenance Squadron may be busy for awhile. Perhaps forever. The 1 SOHMXS was redesignated the 801st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron during a ceremony in Freedom Hangar June 19. "We stand today as the 801st AMXS, with two complimentary weapon systems which have very similar missions of infiltration, resupply, exfiltration and close air support missions during night, low level and/or adverse weather conditions, as well as the added benefit of air refueling the Talons provide," said Lt. Col. Raymond James, 801st AMXS commander. Originally stood up as the 16th Floating Repair Unit in 1944, the 16th Helicopter Generation Squadron was reconstituted and re-designated in 1995 to care for all rotary aircraft in the 16th Special Operations Wing, including the MH-53J PAVE LOW helicopters and the MH-60G Pave Hawks, Colonel James said. The squadron was again redesignated in 2006 as the 1st SOHMXS when the entire 1st SOW was redesignated. The loss of the Pave Hawks ushered in the mission of maintaining the advance tilt rotor technology of the CV-22 Osprey for the squadron. Even more recently, the retirement of the PAVE LOWS brought about the addition of another weapons system to the 1 SOHMXS inventory, the MC-130H Combat Talon II along with the maintainers of the 15th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. The 801st designation is a nod to the original 801st squadron, a part of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force stood up in 1940. That squadron maintained and operated the Hawker Osprey, which was a single engine, carrier-borne aircraft. "I've come to realize that the 801st is a great name, as it reminds us of the squadron's rise to greatness and of its contributions to World War II," Colonel James said. "Though numerous setbacks, which caused the squadron to cease operations several times, the personnel in the original squadron showed perseverance and acceptance to change while ushering in new airpower. There are similarities with our own squadron and both weapon systems' humble beginnings. "We've shuffled the deck with personnel and processes," Colonel James said. "I've seen a sharing of ideas and lessons learned. There have been great organizational beginnings with such complex and labor intensive weapon systems. "Men and women of the 801st SOAMXS, you now own and hold a special bond. You're the only self-sustaining two platform-squadron capable of deploying on a moment's notice with air refueling capability. Cherish this special bond and grow as one. As we deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, take the lessons learned from the lineage of our RAF brethren, the original 801st. Persevere and never give up the fight!" So, if there is anyone that is seeking to find the 1st SOHMXS, they need not look further than the proud chests and busy hands of the 801st AMXS.