HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The newly formed Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center stood up a detachment at Air Force Special Operations Command, following an activation ceremony here, May 8.
Maj. Gen. Theresa Carter, AFIMSC commander, presided over the ceremony activating Detachment 3, the fifth detachment of 10 to stand-up across the enterprise at major commands. The detachment here however will have a focus on Air Commandos and what makes them special.
“This special operations community thrives, and is known for its innovation,” said Carter. “Being able to think differently and think outside the box, often on the spur of the moment, because it’s what their lives and mission depend on.”
Col. David Piech, AFSOC director of installations and mission support, is the interim AFIMSC Det. 3 commander until July.
“This is a significant change in the way the Air Force does business, but with your help, I know we can pull this off,” Piech said. “It’s a new start. Det. 3 is going to make sure we provide the best agile combat support we can to the commanders and the Air Commandos of AFSOC, and that is the end goal.”
The detachment will aid the AFIMSC in supporting operators quickly. Carter highlighted several examples of how our operators are at the tip of the spear, not only inspiring, but reminding AFIMSC leadership of the importance of AFSOC. Of note, the three special tactics Airmen who were awarded the Air Force Cross and Silver Stars May 6, and a fallen Air Commando whose name has special meaning here. The activation ceremony took place in the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center auditorium, named after Lt. Col. J. D. Loftis, who was killed Feb. 25, 2012, during an attack at the Interior Ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“It’s that part of what this command and other commands do that we can’t ever forget as we’re trying to deliver installation and mission support. We must always stay mission focused,” Carter said. “Keeping the mission first and foremost in all that we do has to be a part of our DNA … not only at the center, but at our subordinate units, as well as our detachments.”
Carter highlighted the Special Operations Forces truths, which embody the command and resonate with what AFIMSC is trying to do with the missions its members are supporting.
Humans are more important than hardware
“This change, any organizational change of this magnitude, absolutely has an impact on people,” she said. “We’re committed to making sure we put the right people in the right place to help not only for career development, but also to help with the long-term success of the organization.
“It is cemented in my head and certainly in my heart, the talented Airmen that we have as part of this command and the great things that they do -- sometimes known and very often unknown -- on behalf of our nation and on behalf of our Air Force. From the Airman’s Creed, a tradition of honor and legacy of valor is clearly embodied by this auditorium and by the Airmen recognized earlier this week.”
SOF can’t be mass produced
Looking to the logistics of overseeing the comptroller, civil engineer, communications, security forces, personnel and support career fields, she asked how do we have standard processes, while also recognizing every installation and MAJCOM is different. There’s more common between us than is different, she said, and that brings tremendous opportunity.
“We’re going to get it all sorted out, all squared away and it will be a well-oiled machine once we get this rolling,” said Piech. “We’re a small (detachment), but we’re a mighty one, and it will be seamless for our folks. That’s our goal.”