New Force Support Squadron to streamline base functions

  • Published
  • By 51st Fighter Wing
  • Public Affairs Office
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  When it comes to people programs, community support and quality of life, beginning June 19 there will be one organization on base that will handle it all - the 51st Force Support Squadron.
 
The new organization is the result of an ongoing Air Force-wide merger of mission support and services squadrons and is expected to be completed by early 2010 when the last base merges its A1 Squadrons. According to Lt. Col. Randall Smith, 51st Mission Support Squadron commander, the new squadrons will help streamline processes, maximize customer service and cut costs associated with maintaining
separate organizations.
 
"Because we're a leaner force, we need to focus on getting our people and organizations to operate at maximum effi ciency," Colonel Smith said. "This reorganization puts the base manpower, personnel and services capabilities under one leadership 'hat,' which reduces overhead and gives our people the flexibility to be more responsive to customers' needs." 

The new FSS includes fi ve flights: force development, manpower and personnel, Airmen and family services, sustainment services and community services. The new structure combines similar functional areas that already work closely together. For example, the sustainment services flight contains the food operations, fitness and wellness, and lodging branches. 

"This is basically a behind-the scenes change and should appear transparent to most Airmen here," said Maj. Mike Rakoczy, 51st Services Squadron commander. "If someone needs to go get an ID card or go to the Airman's Attic, in most cases, that person will still go to the same location they're familiar with today, but rest assured that we will be doing extensive publicity on the changes in locations, phone numbers, etc., that do result from the new force support squadron. What we'll have, however, is a more effective force structure in place to better support our Airmen in the long run."

"Reports from the initial FSS commanders/director indicate that this merger has not been without its challenges," said Major Rakoczy, the soon-to-be FSS commander. "They had to re-establish lines of communication, move some people around, and overcome cultural differences between the functions. But, even with the difficulties, we're already seeing the benefi ts of combining these assets."
 
Colonel Smith cited the new force development flight as an example of positive changes coming.
 
"The new force development flight commander is responsible for all education, training, library, professional development, and military education," he said. "It's advantageous for the wing to have one person overseeing and integrating the learning opportunities."
 
The merger is also advantageous for the careers of future force support officers and civilians.
 
"This reorganization opens up career opportunities that we haven't had before," said Colonel Smith. "With our training plan in place, our people will be able to gain valuable experience across different functional areas. We've also created a new position - the operations officer - that will be open to officers and civilians." 

The bottomline is that there will soon be a new name--Force Support Squadron--in place of what was Mission Support and Services at Osan. According to Major Rakoczy, the one thing will not change however, is the dedicated people of this newly merged organization. He said they will continue doing their best to support commanders and provide first class support to their customers.