Robins AFB team ready to repair damaged Air Force planes.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. _ When a C-130 cargo plane crashed in Puerto Rico earlier this year, a specialized squadron just off the flight line at Robins Air Force Base was called into action.

The 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron is responsible for repairing damage to C-130, C-5 and C-141 cargo planes, the F-15 fighter jet, all Air Force helicopters and some special operations aircraft _ the same planes RAFB is tasked with maintaining.

"Battle damage repair is our main mission," said Master Sgt. Robert Melden, the C-130 section chief and the depot field team chief for the crashed plane. "During peacetime, we do depot level maintenance out in the …