Air Force Reserve to test force support squadron concept Published Sept. 4, 2008 ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- Starting in October, the Air Force Reserve Command will test a new force support structure by merging mission support squadrons and services squadrons at seven locations throughout the United States. In the test, which will run for one year, the affected units will merge manpower and personnel functions with services. Combining these services in one organization is designed to streamline processes, maximize customer service and cut costs associated with maintaining separate organizations. "The Air Force has become a leaner force," said Col. Joseph Vivori, director of manpower and personnel at Headquarters AFRC. "As a result, our people have to make the best use of the resources they have," he said. "By combining manpower, personnel and services under one manager, we will reduce overall costs and give our people more flexibility to respond to their customers." The test will involve two kinds of units -- stand-alone locations and locations that receive support from host active-duty units. Stand-alone test locations are March Air Reserve Base, Calif.; Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas; and Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. Test locations that will receive some support from their hosts are MacDill AFB, Fla.; Hill AFB, Utah; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; and McGuire AFB, N.J. Labor relations bargaining obligations will be satisfied with local unions in advance of the test. Stand-alone locations will have four flights -- force development, community support, civilian personnel, and readiness and plans. Supported locations will have two flights - force development and operations, which contains many of the elements of a readiness and plans flight. "Force support squadrons are designed to bring people and services together," said Maj. Gen. Allan R. Poulin, AFRC vice commander, who approved the test for the command. "Like the active force, we will have one agency to care for our people and manage the services that support them. It makes good business sense for us to organize the same way we deploy overseas." Airmen and their families can expect to continue to have the same world-class support, care and facilities they've always had, say command officials. They emphasize that the merger is not about downsizing but consolidating processes and programs to better serve people. After the one-year test ends, AFRC officials will determine how to implement force support squadrons for the entire command. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service) Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page