Merged squadron takes new name

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  As of Oct. 1, the squadron formally known as the 319th Mission Support and Services Squadron was renamed the 319th Force Support Squadron. As Air Mobility Command's test base, Grand Forks AFB's 319th Mission Support and Services Squadrons merged to create the 319 MSSS April 17. Since then, the squadron has overcome challenges and adapted itself into the 319 FSS.

Creating the FSS is in line with Congress' Program Budget Decision No. 720, or PBD 720, which granted the Air Force authority to reduce manpower authorizations. The Air Force used the test bases to establish where specific responsibilities and processes should be placed within the organizational structure and how they should be established, such as which should be merged, which should be collocated and which should be kept separate and distinct as manpower, personnel or services entities.

According to Maj. Sarah Schultz, the 319 FSS commander, the merge was not without challenges.

"Lines of communication were destroyed originally because we changed out flight commanders and moved positions and sections around," she said. "As a whole, the mid-level communication broke down, and we had to re-establish those lines. We expected that, but sometimes it doesn't matter how much planning you do."

It took a group effort to overcome the communication challenges in the newly formed MSSS.

"We had to break apart the pieces and figure out what wasn't being communicated and why," she stated. "For one thing, it takes a while for a new flight commander, who's just gained these sections, to learn who's in their flight, get to know their people and what their requirements are. Re-establishing good intra-squadron communication took a little time."

In addition to several different sections and missions in the Force Support Squadron, there are different perceptions of how each Airman fits into the unit.

"We have two types of Airmen in the FSS; those who work Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and those who work 24/7 on swing shifts and rotating shifts," the major commented. She went on to explain the difficulty of getting all of those Airmen together for commander's calls or for unit functions. "It has been frustrating for the two cultures to come together, and they clashed a little at first. It seems that there's an overwhelming perception that one job may be more important than the other. That's simply not the case. Every job that our Airmen are engaged in is critical to this wing."

In keeping with the idea behind the merge, Major Schultz attested to the success of many of her merged flights.

"It has put together some things that worked hand-in-hand already, such as the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, youth center, family childcare and child development center. That flight chief now reaches out to families in general, as well as the Airmen those families 'belong to.' So, it's truly an Airman and family services flight."

She went on to explain the benefits of the manpower and personnel flight.

"Now you have a human resource flight commander for the wing. That flight commander has everything; military personnel, civilian personnel, manpower ... all together under one leadership hat. It's nice for the wing to have one person to go to for all personnel issues."

In addition to benefits to Grand Forks AFB members, the merge has created an environment to help deployed members, from here or while in the area of responsibility.

"Our squadron should be called the Airman Readiness Squadron for contingencies and deployments," she said. "That's what we do; we try to keep people psyched about what they do, ready and 'moraled,' and trained to go. It's our job to take care of them; we take care of food, lodging, careers, education, training, families and more. As far as families go, if you're a mom or a dad, you don't do a very good job at home or deployed unless your family's taken care of . That's why we fight and die in the first place; because of freedom and family."

For crisis at home, the FSS provides a one-stop shop for installation and group commanders to assess and gauge some support needs.

"It provides a belly-button for many different assets and services in the EOC [emergency operations center]," Major Schultz added. "It's all one big 360 degree circle in the care of our Airmen, and it provides a single point of entry into the squadron for all things force support."

An important element of all things support is the continuity and expertise provided by civilian employees. A challenge for the merge has been the redefined roles of some civilian employees.

"We're working with AMC and Air Staff to figure out what folks' job descriptions are so that they can be fully successful."

She went on to explain the importance of civilians in a unit like the Force Support Squadron.

"They are the backbone of the squadron. They're no less dedicated than our active duty Airmen. Their pay and career paths are still in flux, but they're hanging on with me and sticking with the job."

Despite the challenges that have been overcome, and the challenges that are still arising, Major Schultz is optimistic about the future of the FSS.

"Our job in the Force Support Squadron is service--personalized, world-class customer support," she said. "Nothing should change for our customers except for a higher level of energy in the different work sections. We're channeling communication so that the Airmen working in these centers are now more aware of what's going on in the wing. Because of the interaction we have with one another, our confidence is improving, and as our confidence improves, our energy increases and the synergy of the unit increases as well. That's the only difference I hope our customers are seeing out there."

In the end, the goal of the merged FSS is to enhance customer support and customer service throughout the wing. Major Schultz admits this can not be done alone.

"I have the finest team in the U.S. Air Force," she exclaims. "If it were not for the people in this squadron right now, this would not be possible. Leadership is required to do something like this, and not just at my level. Airmen have stepped up and are bigger and better than ever. People are reaching out to one another, working side-by-side and making a difference in the lives on base."

Luckily, the FSS has a commander who seems enjoy coming to work everyday, too.

"I love my job," the major cried out in excitement. "This is a fabulous unit. I hate the word 'team;' it's so over-used. But, truly, everyone's that's invested in this unit puts life into the word 'team.' That's what they're good at."