Squadrons merge forces

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laura Suttles
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE, Kan. -- --  The 22nd Services Squadron and 22nd Mission Support Squadron officially merged and became the 22nd Force Support Squadron during a re-designation ceremony at the Robert J. Dole Center ballroom, here, July 11.

The new FSS at McConnell is made up of five flights: Force Development Flight, Manpower and Personnel Flight, Airman and Family Services Flight, Sustainment Services Flight and the Community Services Flight.

Lt. Col. Sonya Collins, the new squadron's commander, reassured her airmen, "It's not scary at all...it's like gaining a new family," said Colonel Collins.

The merger resulted from an Air Force-wide initiative to combine forces and manpower, create an environment where customer service is top-notch, and implement Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.

"This merger better streamlines our services which means we'll have much more to offer", said Colonel Collins. "In the future, I don't see the Force Support Squadron having any problems; I view problems as an opportunity to learn and grow."

The Force Support Squadron will combine manpower, employing close to 425 personnel. The flights will maintain more individuals for the same work that has been done therefore, this will decrease man-hours. The merger also creates more building space. The FSS has close to 35 buildings within its inventory, including its new leadership headquarters, Bldg. 1120, where the commander, first sergeant and squadron chief are housed.

Air Force bases across six commands were selected to test the new squadron merger in January of 2007. These bases will help determine where specific tasks and processes should be placed within the organizational structure and how they should function.

"I see the merger in a positive light," said Capt. Willie Cooper, 22nd FSS deputy commander. "FSS will personally take care of an Airman from the beginning of their career with programs like the First Term Airman Center and the Education Office; until the end of their military career without processing and the Transition Assistant Programs."