Near transparent merger will combine prominent squadrons

  • Published
  • By Nicholasa Reed
  • 19th Services Squadron Marketing
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  In line with the Air Force-wide merger of services and mission support squadrons, Little Rock will officially follow suit and activate the 19th Force Support Squadron July 14. 

The 19th Mission Support Squadron will deactivate and the 19th Services Squadron will be re-designated as the 19th Force Support Squadron, which will remain a part of the 19th Mission Support Group. 

"The merger will be transparent to our customers," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Collins, 19th SVS commander. "They can count on getting the same great service from the same facilities and office they expect." 

Air Force leaders initiated the merger to maximize customer service, reduce costs inherent with maintaining separate organizations and to modernize processes. 

"For us internally, this is a very exciting time," said Lt. Col. Lisa Redinger, 19th MSS commander. "We're merging two of the base's prominent squadrons that touch everyone on base. Both squadrons are set up to take care of people always, and that's what the new FSS will do." 

Six bases across six commands were selected to test the new squadron model two years ago. The test bases helped establish where specific responsibilities and processes should be placed within the organizational structure and how they should be set up. 

"Many on base haven't noticed, but we've already merged many of our squadron's functions to ensure the merger goes seamlessly," said Colonel Collins. "We talked to several bases that completed mergers before us and took those lessons learned into account during our planning." 

The new Air Force-wide merger is expected to be completed by all bases by early 2010. 

"It's an exciting time to be part of this. The new commander will have what Colonel Collins and I consider will be the best job on base: taking care of people," Colonel Redinger said.