JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Maj. Yolanda Seals, after serving one month as the 433rd Maintenance Group maintenance operations officer, assumed command of the 433rd Maintenance Squadron Sept. 10, during a change of command ceremony.
Prior to that, Seals served in back-to-back executive officer roles at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, and at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
“We will be ready now, fully equipped for combat and ready to mobilize,” Seals said. “I will strive to lead you in a mission driven purpose while prioritizing our nation’s greatest asset: you.”
Seals initially enlisted in the Air Force in January 1999 as an active-duty air traffic controller. She commissioned in 2009 after completing her bachelor’s degree and the Reserve Officer Training Corps program.
Lt. Col. Carla Martinez, 433rd MXG commander, presided over the ceremony where Maj. Nicholas Velazquez Jr. relinquished command.
“MXS is family and support,” said Velazquez. “I know Maj. Seals is coming into a good situation. They’re going to take care of her, and I know she’s going to take care of MXS.”
The 433rd MXS provides essential on and off-equipment repair and support maintenance for all assigned C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft. It maintains and operates aerospace ground equipment and fabricates structural components for aircraft and associated support systems.