MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The stand-up of the 23rd Force Support Squadron will merge two base
squadrons that focus on customer service, community support and quality of life.
While the activation of the 23rd FSS will not officially occur until May, the 23rd Mission Support Squadron and 23rd Services Squadron are already joining efforts to provide Airmen more accessible and better services.
"Due to under-manning and force structuring, the 23rd SVS and 23rd MSS are currently in the process of becoming the 23rd FSS in order to provide better support to Airmen," said Maj. Tad Vannaman, 23rd MSS commander. "The two squadrons compliment each other extremely well and we're looking forward to a smooth transition into one entity.
"Prior to the merger, certain flights that worked hand-in-hand were separated between squadrons," explained Major Vannaman. "For example after the merger, flights such as the former 23rd MSS Airmen and Family Readiness Center, will be able to work side-by-side with the former 23rd SVS Youth Programs Flight: the library will be co-located with the education center."
The stand-up of the 23rd FSS is part of a program-action decision approved by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
"The Air Force began conducting research in 2007 with six provisional
squadrons," said Maj. Calvin Daniels, 23rd MSS operations officer. "The Air Force asked each of the squadrons to conduct the merger in a different way in order to provide the best possible solution to the overall merger."
After the setup of the provisional squadrons, the Air Force conducted
research in order to understand where specific responsibilities and processes should be placed within the organization.
According to the current structure of the Force Support Squadron, Moody will be one of 43 bases to merge mission support and services together in 2008.
"Our current projection is to be structurally setup for the 23rd FSS by the end of January," said Major Daniels. "By the time we officially merge, the 23rd FSS will already be smoothly operating."
After the merger there will be five force support flights including; the Manpower and Personnel Flight, the Sustainment Services Flight, the Airman and Family Services Flight, the Force Development Flight and the Community Services Flight.
"Each flight contains elements of both the 23rd MSS and 23rd SVS," said Jean DeFrancesco, 23rd SVS deputy director. "The combination of these squadrons was much needed and is the logical solution to under-manning issues.
"The largest difference is going to be within leadership," he added.
"Commanders of the 23rd FSS and its flights will notice an increase in responsibilities."
The changes will remain transparent to Airmen who are not part of the Force Support Squadron, Mr. DeFrancesco said. Most of the functions Airmen received through services and mission support will remain in the same location.
Although the stand-up of the Force Support Squadron is a recent change, there has been a commonality between mission support and services through the functions they provide, Major Vannaman said.
"There has always been symmetry between the squadrons," he said. "The
stand-up of a single squadron will create a synergies that will ultimately increase support to our base populace and their families."