Millares assumes command of Maintenance Squadron

  • Published
  • By Jake Shaw
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD ARB, Fla. --  Maj. Luis M. Millares assumed command of the 482nd Maintenance Squadron in a ceremony here at Homestead Air Reserve Base on May 6.

Col. T. Glenn Davis, 482nd Maintenance Group Commander, presided over the ceremony.

Major Millares takes over from Maj. George T. Palmer, who recently transferred to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to assume command of the 459th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

As commander of the 482nd Maintenance Squadron, the major oversees 252 personnel responsible for aerospace ground equipment, munitions, repair and calibration of equipment, off-equipment maintenance of aircraft and fabrication of parts. The squadron provides direct support to the 93rd Fighter Squadron's F-16 "Mako" fighter jets.

For the past seven years Major Millares was the officer in charge of various departments within the 482nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, including the transportation, fuels and supply sections.

The major, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, received his commission in the Air Force in 1992 via the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Florida State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology. He also earned a Master of Science degree in microcomputer management from Lesley University in 1995.

Among his many accolades, Major Millares is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force's undergraduate missile training and logistics readiness officer training. He also graduated from the Air Force Squadron Officer School and completed Air Command and Staff College.

In his remarks to welcome the new commander, Colonel Davis said the highest honor he can bestow upon an officer is to select them to be one of his squadron commanders. The colonel also said the new job will be a big responsibility and challenge for Major Millares, which is heightened because many of the MXS personnel are deploying in the near future.

But Major Millares is prepared for the challenge.

"The Air Expeditionary Force cycle is a challenge, but we continue to deploy jets and personnel to contribute to the war in Iraq. The amazing part of this is the fact that all of our deploying Airmen are volunteers," he said.

The major is also looking forward to the squadron's growth in the future.

"We will receive nine additional jets soon. Our squadron is one of the largest at Homestead and the additional personnel and workload will definitely affect the way we do business," he said.

Despite the challenges and changes ahead, Major Millares wants his Airmen to stay focused on one thing - improvements.

"I believe our squadron should always strive for excellence and constantly look for ways to improve themselves and their processes. It is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them," he said.

The major's military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak-leaf cluster among others.

Although the outgoing commander, Major Palmer, was not present for the ceremony, he knew long ago that the squadron would be busy after he departed, so he left them with some good advice.

"Keep the balance," said the former commander, referring to the mixture of demands we all have to pursue our personal and professional goals in life.