KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Col. Stuart L. Martin assumed command of the 403rd Maintenance Group during a ceremony at the Roberts Consolidated Maintenance Facility here Sept. 6.
Col. Jaret T. Fish, 403rd Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by community members, unit Airmen, and Martin’s family.
As commander of the 403rd MXG, Martin is responsible for more than 550 personnel who maintain 10 WC-130J Super Hercules and 10 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The group ensures fleet health in support of tactical airlift missions and the Department of Defense’s only aerial weather reconnaissance mission.
“The men and women of the 403rd Maintenance Group consistently demonstrate that they are among the best in the business,” Fish said. “Their professionalism and ability to deliver mission-ready aircraft directly enable our wing to accomplish both tactical airlift and the critical hurricane reconnaissance mission. Colonel Martin’s leadership experience and commitment to our Airmen make him the right choice to lead this outstanding team.”
403rd Maintenance Group assumption of command
U.S. Air Force Col. Stuart L. Martin, 403rd Maintenance Group commander, receives his first salute from a 403rd MXG Airman during the change of command ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Sept. 6, 2025. The first salute tradition represents mutual respect and marks the official start of a commander’s leadership of a unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee)
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403rd Maintenance Group assumption of command
U.S. Air Force Col. Stuart L. Martin, 403rd Maintenance Group commander, stands with his family following the change of command ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Sept. 6, 2025. Martin previously commanded the 908th Maintenance Group and has served in key maintenance roles across multiple major commands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee)
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403rd Maintenance Group assumption of command
A ceremonial cake is displayed during the 403rd Maintenance Group change of command ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Sept. 6, 2025. The cake-cutting tradition followed the ceremony in which Col. Stuart L. Martin assumed command of the group, marking a formal transition of leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee)
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The 403rd MXG has recently supported a wide range of operations, including Northern Strike in Michigan where maintainers demonstrated the “mission ready Airman” concept by performing tasks beyond their core specialties. The group also generated aircraft for hurricane reconnaissance missions, such as Hurricane Erin last month and Hurricane Kiko in Hawaii this week, to provide vital data to the National Hurricane Center to improve forecasts. Currently, Airmen are deployed supporting airlift operations in Europe and weather reconnaissance taskings for storms developing in the Atlantic and Pacific.
Martin previously commanded the 908th Maintenance Group at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., where he led the unit through its aircraft conversion from the C-130H Hercules to the MH-139A Grey Wolf. He has also commanded the 433rd Maintenance Group, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons and served as deputy commander for maintenance groups at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and during a deployment to Camp Taji, Iraq.
Commissioned in 1997 after earning a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University, Martin began his Air Force career in 1990 as an enlisted Airman before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve in 1994. Over his 35-year career, he has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, serving in key maintenance leadership roles in Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, and Pakistan.
Addressing the men and women of the 403rd MXG, Martin emphasized both gratitude and responsibility.
“Group command is an incredible opportunity, but it also comes with tremendous responsibility,” Martin said. “I look forward to leading this outstanding team of Airmen who play such a vital role in combat airlift and hurricane reconnaissance operations. Together, we will continue to deliver safe, reliable, mission-ready aircraft whenever our nation calls.”