New 301st Force Support Squadron forged from old units

  • Published
  • By SrA Melissa Harvey
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAS FORT WORTH JRB --  The 301st Mission Support Squadron and Services Flight merged to become the 301st Force Support Squadron with Lt. Col. Kathryn Smith as the new commander during an assumption of command ceremony Feb. 12 at the Lone Star Center here.

Col. Linda McCourt, 301st Mission Support Group commander, officiated the ceremony.
"Often times, deactivations are sad because you're closing a chapter in military history but that is not the case in today's ceremony because this historic merger will create synergy where the whole is greater than the sum," Colonel McCourt said.

The respective missions of the MSS and SVS flight, although different in some respects, are really the same, Colonel McCourt said. From personnel records to education and training, retention and retirements, to billeting, to Morale, Wellness and Recreation, and unfortunately, but sometimes inevitably mortuary affairs, their combined mission is the same, taking care of our airmen and their families.

The merger will "Enable the new 301st FSS to streamline processes, increase efficiencies, maximize customer service, and cut costs associated with maintaining two separate organizations," Colonel McCourt said.

"The road ahead is busy and demands competent, strong leadership," Colonel McCourt said. Lieutenant Colonel Smith has a wealth and breadth of knowledge, she is the right person for the job."

As the new commander of the 301st FSS, Colonel Smith agrees about the importance of combining the units.

"Air Force-wide, they put things together that made sense," Colonel Smith said.
Challenges the new squadron will face include bringing both groups together so it feels like a team, consolidating functions and streamlining additional processes, Colonel Smith said.

"To the men and women of the 301st FSS, I charge you with providing quality customer service while striving for continuous improvement in your specialized area of expertise," she said. "Our focus for the next 18 months is to polish our war fighting skills to demonstrate our operational readiness."

Colonel Smith is not new to the challenge the position brings, she previously led the 610th Services Flight as their commander.

"This is the birth of the 301st FSS and I am proud to lead its men and women into the fight," Colonel Smith said.