JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 316th and 11th Wing leaders met Friday to continue the synchronization and integration of the merge incorporating portions of the 11 WG into the 316 WG, otherwise known as "Mission Movement." The merge of these two entities will occur in concert with the implementation of Joint Base Anacostia Bolling.
Members from Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington, as well as those from Bolling Air Force Base and Naval Support Facility Anacostia, may be curious about manning, mission, and movement changes on the horizon for Oct.1. "The movement combines the 316 WG's host base mission with the 11 WG's worldwide support missions, along with the U.S. Air Force Band and Honor Guard," said Glenn Garrison, 316th Mission Support Group deputy commander.
In the beginning of October, months of planning between the two installations will culminate in a complete mission merger.
"There are several actions that will happen Oct.1," said Lt. Col. Michael Burk, 11th Operations Group deputy commander and action officer for the 11 WG's mission movement. "We will formally stand up the joint base command structure, and at the same time, the 316 WG at Andrews will be deactivated and the 11 WG will be re-flagged at Andrews. The 11 WG, with all its history and heritage, is not going away, it is simply moving to a different installation." The changes are going into effect as a result of 2005 Base Realignment and Closure. Congress mandated realignment of 26 separate Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps installations into 12 joint bases.
The BRAC recommendation consolidates installation support functions, thus the remaining mission functions realign to an Air Force Wing. Though they may not physically move, the remaining 11 WG mission will be consolidated with Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington, said Mr. Garrison.
Under 2005 BRAC, Air Force installation support missions on Bolling will transfer to the Navy. These missions - and the people who perform them - will become part of Joint Base Anacostia Bolling.At the same time, some 11 WG Airmen will remain on Bolling and perform their same jobs and continue to work for the 11 WG following the mission movement to Andrews.
Those individuals staying with the 11WG will continue to work for the Air Force. Other personnel may relocate to Joint Base Andrews to perform the 11 WG mission. Where personnel will work is dependent on space availability.
Also, said Mr. Garrison, "The realigned 11 WG will consist of two operations groups. The 11 OG will consist of the Band, Honor Guard and Arlington Chaplain and continue to be located at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling ... really no change from its present operations. The 811th Operations Group (former 316th Operations Group) will consist of the 1st Helicopter Squadron, 11th Operational Support Squadron and will be located at Joint Base Andrews. Again, no real change to current operations."
The greatest change to manning and mission will come from the creation of a new security forces group at Andrews. "The new security forces group should improve mission effectiveness, efficiency and continuity," Mr. Garrison said.
"There will be noticeable changes for some," said Colonel Burk. "We have to prepare people from both units for these changes. Some people from Bolling may be physically moving to Andrews, not only to perform the mission, but for Airmen in the dorms who will be working at Andrews, to live there. For the personnel already living and working at Andrews, they will have to welcome the personnel from Bolling."
Commanders from both wings have been working together behind the scenes to ensure the mission movement is a seamless transition for the hundreds of military and civilian members from each wing. "The 11 WG's group and squadron commanders are working hand-in-hand, and usually hour-to-hour, with their peer commanders at Andrews," said Colonel Burk. "To really make this work you need input from both wings."