New FSS consolidates Mission Support and Services Squadrons

  • Published
  • By Maj. Krista DeAngelis
  • 151st ARW/PA
As a result of the Air Force-wide merger of Mission Support and Services Squadrons, the 151st Air Refueling Wing has redesignated the 151st Mission Support Flight as the new 151st Force Support Squadron.

The new squadron will help streamline processes, maximize customer service and cut costs associated with maintaining separate organizations, said Col. Mike Gamble, the deputy director of Strategic, Plans and Programs at the Pentagon. "Because we're a leaner force, we need to focus on getting our people and organizations to operate at maximum efficiency."

At a wing ceremony November 8, the 151st MSF was redesignated as the new FSS and the 151st Services Flight was inactivated.

The new squadron, commanded by Maj. Mark Roberts, is comprised of four flights: Force Development, Manpower Personnel, Airman & Family Services and Sustainment Services. The Force Development Flight manages education and training; the Manpower Personnel Flight handles customer support, force management and career development; Airman and Family Services Flight manages family programs and personal and family readiness; the Sustainment Services Flight manages food operations, fitness and sports, lodging and outdoor recreation.

"The 151st Force Support Squadron continually demonstrates its ability to provide top quality customer service due to our outstanding personnel," said Major Roberts. "Squadron Airmen ensure they are trained and qualified on the latest personnel systems. Additionally, they train individual unit Command Support Staff representatives. This allows members of the Utah Air National Guard to be assured that their personnel, benefits and employment history are continually monitored and updated."

The new unit should be transparent to most members of the Utah Air National Guard.

"This is basically a behind-the-scenes change and should appear transparent to most Airmen," said Capt. Ronald Bell, the chief of personal services delivery operations at the Air Force Personnel Center. "If someone needs to go get an ID card, in most cases, that person will still go to the same location they're familiar with today. What we'll have, however, is a more effective force structure in place to better support our Airmen in the long run."