Mission Support Group: Can’t fight wars without them Published Aug. 24, 2006 By Airman 1st Class Ashley Coomes Public affairs Grand Forks AFB, ND -- As base members drive through the gate each morning, they are greeted by a security forces member, parents drop off their children at the child development center and Airmen in the dorms get breakfast from the Airey Dining Facility. Some people grab a cup of coffee at Fast Eddie's before going to work to log onto their computers. On the flight line, crews are being transported to the aircraft to do their mission. From fuel to food to transportation, the wing mission depends on the 319th Mission Support Group. Without its seven squadrons, many aspects of the overall mission would not happen. The 319 MSG is comprised of the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 319th Communications Squadron, the 319th Contracting Squadron, the 319th Logistic Readiness Squadron, the 319th Mission Support Squadron, the 319th Security Forces Squadron and the 319th Services Squadron. The mission support group as a whole supports the wing mission at home and supports the Global War on Terror at the deployed locations. The civil engineering and the communications squadrons are two of the first units to deploy to set up new contingency bases. They build accommodations and communications from scratch before anyone arrives. More support is followed by personnelists from the military personnel flight. Right now, the MPF here is under construction to combine all personnel shops and operations into one building to serve as a "one-stop shop," according to 1st Lt. Cara Ebner, MPF Chief of Force Development. MPF is physically under construction to create a "user-friendly" environment by placing points of contact at every entrance. It is also aiming for a more proficient and convenient service by making all forms available online. This streamline "one-stop shop" is similar to the personnel support for contingency operations team during bare-base operations. According to 1st Lt. Susan Mireles, 319th MSS, they are responsible for accountability for everyone, providing commanders with real-time strength and capability information. Also, they report and track any casualties. The MPF is not the only unit tracking people. The services squadron is responsible for setting up the base locator. "The base locator tracks where everyone is within the camp, so we are able to find anyone quickly," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Cute, 319th Services Squadron. Most people think of food when they think of services, because they operate the dining facility and other food venders on base such as the newest edition, J.R. Rockers. But once deployed, services provides more than just food and fitness. They are part of the bare-base set-up. Services members are trained to set up basic needs in a tent city, which includes a palletized kitchen and a recreation tent, according to Sergeant Cute. Together these seven squadrons support the basic needs to keep the mission able to continue at home and at deployed locations. The very mission of refueling would not be possible without the mission support group.