Squadron joins 75 ABW

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clay Murray
  • 75th Air Base Wing public affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  A ceremony on June 2, 10 a.m., officiated by Col. Gerald David, 75th Mission Support Group commander, will finalize the inception of the 75th Force Support Squadron.

The 75 FSS is being created in accordance with an Air Force directive that's out to do some standardizing. Key functions will merge together to form more of a one-stop service environment, explained Master Sgt. Rebecca James, force operations management superintendent.

"The Education and Training flight and the Library have always had a good relationship here at Hill as they use each other to provide resources and information," said Sergeant James. "The Professional Education Flight will combine Airman Leadership School, First-Term Airmen's Center and the CAA as an overall button for professional development and education of the troops. The Casualty and Mortuary offices have two distinct functions but come together in the event of a death.

"The change in proximity of these series of functions will provide depth and continuity for the programs," Sergeant James added."The Airmen and Family Readiness Center and the Family Member Service Flight will also combine providing more integrated and contiguous support to the family. It is believed that streamlining of this sort will only strengthen the bonds of the two units when they merge together to form the Force Support Squadron."

The 75 MSS will join with the 75th Services Division, a unit that has no assigned military, to be known as the 75 FSS. The unit will be led by John Patten, the current 75 SD director. Once complete, the squadron will consist of civilian and military personnel working side by side.

"It's a great honor to be selected as the first director of the new 75 FSS," said Mr. Patten. "With this new squadron in the mix we hope to optimize our personnel force, unify our resources and ultimately do the most that we can under the 75th Mission Support Group."

During the same ceremony as the activation of the 75 FSS, the 75th Mission Support Squadron and the 75th Services Division will be deactivated as their resources will be harbored into the 75 FSS.

"The new merge should provide some unique experience, and hopefully we can see both sides of how the system works," said Sergeant James.

Transition to the new 75 FSS began back in January, and by the time the ceremony rolls around, all actions to unify the 75 MSS and 75 SD into the 75 FSS should be finished.