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NEWS | Aug. 7, 2008

Units support, sustain through merger

By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente Capital Flyer staff writer

Leadership from the 316th Mission Support Squadron and 316th Services Squadron are preparing to merge and stand up the 316th Force Support Squadron Aug. 22. 

Integrating the two squadrons was an Air Staff initiative in response to the impact of Presidential Budget Decision 720, which cut the Services and Mission Support career field manning by approximately 40 percent. 

"After the manpower reductions, Air Staff recognized the need to find more efficient ways to deliver service," said Lt. Col. Teresa L. Forest, 316 MSS commander and future 316 FSS commander. "Merging the squadrons enables us to continue operations in the post PBD 720 environment." 

The merger began a year ago with six test bases. 

"Those test bases operated successfully for approximately one year, and now the remainder of squadrons across the Air Force are merging throughout FY08 and FY09," said Ms. Judee Sanders, 316 SVS director and future 316 FSS deputy commander. 

While the new organizational structure co-locates similar functions, enlisted Air Force Specialty Codes will remain the same. "The enlisted Services and Mission Support career fields will remain separate, but co-location of like responsibilities will result in synergies throughout the unit and the unit will have more resources overall to execute base-wide functions," she said. 

In preparation for the integration, a three-phased renovation plan has been developed.

"Senior leadership is behind this integration and has been very supportive with end-of-year funding," said Colonel Forest. "We're just waiting for renovations to start." Phase I will renovate bldg. 1642 into a dedicated military testing facility and allow the relocation of after-hours voluntary education courses out of bldg. 1414. Bldg 1414 will be renovated during phase II and will allow the co-location of the Military Personnel Section, Civilian Personnel Section, Manpower & Organization Section, and NAF Human Resources Office to stand up the Manpower & Personnel Flight. The final phase renovates the second floor of corridor D in bldg. 1535, which will house the FSS command element. 

The colonel explained that there has been a great deal of communication with the two units about the merger. 

"Ms. Sanders and I have been briefing our respective units since early February about the integration," said Colonel Forest. "We identified our new FSS flight commanders about two months ago and we've been working as a leadership team to further prepare our personnel for the merger." 

"We'll hold a joint commander's-director's call on Tuesday," said Colonel Forest, "to introduce the new leadership, bring everyone up-to-date on the status of renovations, and discuss our new squadron's mission." 

The leadership agrees that the year of preparation has equipped the units with the knowledge they need to successfully integrate, and they are eager to proceed. 

"I think everybody is ready," said Ms. Sanders. "We've been planning this for a long time and it's time to make it happen. We're looking forward to the challenge and to creating this new unit." 

The colonel feels building the 316 FSS culture will take a little time, but the future 316 FSS leadership is confident in its plans and is ready to proceed. 

"We've done the planning, now we're ready to move forward." said the colonel. "The integration will be challenging, but also very exciting. We're creating a unit that will ensure our Airmen and their families continue to receive the excellent Manpower, Personnel, and Services support they need and deserve," she said. "A year from now, everyone involved in this merger is going to look back and know that we did a good thing for our Air Force," said the colonel. "It's the direction we've been given and we're moving out. When it's done, we're going to have an organization that everyone can be proud of." 

The activation ceremony for the 316 FSS is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 22 at The Club at Andrews. 

The new names of the flights and sections for the 316 FFS are: 

Manpower and Personnel Flight 
     Manpower and Organization Section 
     Civilian Personnel Section 
     Non-Appropriated Funds 
     Human Resources Office 
     Military Personnel Section 
          Customer Support 
          Force Management 
          Career Development 

Sustainment Services Flight 
     Food Operations 
     Fitness and Sports 
     Lodging 

Airman and Family Services Flight 
     Airman and Family Readiness 
     Child Development 
     Family Child Care 
     Youth Programs 

Force Development Flight 
    Education and Training 
    Library 
    Professional Development 
         Airman Leadership School 
         First Term Airmen's Center 
         Career Assistance Advisor 

Community Services Flight 
     The Club at Andrews 
     The Courses at Andrwes 
     Outdoor Recreation 
     Bowling Center