JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Force support squadron military commanders and civilian leaders from around the world came together Aug. 17 in San Antonio for the first functional gathering since 2011 to “Get Excited” about the present and future state of Air Force force support squadrons.
The event hosted about 80 attendees and 20 briefers, along with subject matter experts from the Air Force Services Activity, or AFSVA, to answer questions about particular programs. This year’s theme, “Get Excited,” was centered on reviewing current FSS operational trends in services and morale, welfare and recreation programs, as well as the state of manpower and personnel, to build an environment for FSS leaders to network with each other.
“I get everything out of this training,” said Maj. Dina Kampa, 97th FSS commander, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. “The best part is getting a better understanding of services programs so when I’m approached about issues, I can better relate to them, ask better questions and know whom to reach out to so I can get back to the Airmen and their needs.”
The four-day event, hosted by AFSVA, offered FSS leaders the chance to see the entire spectrum of programs and activities the FSS manages at Air Force installations worldwide. While complex and easy to forget under the minutiae of daily operations, AFSVA emphasized the importance of understanding the breadth of FSS operations, as well as innovating and improving them.
“FSS is a complicated business, and I learned some new stuff,” said Lt. Col. Erica Rabe, 802ns FSS commander at JBSA-Lackland, Texas. “They told us: ‘Find a way to say yes. Instead of just saying no, find a way to fill a requester’s need, not necessarily their request.’”
The “Get Excited” leadership training did that through training sessions discussing current and new programs, and by giving attendees a chance to share their own innovative programs with the rest of the group via a “Shark Tank.” The winner, chosen by attendees, won $5,000 for MWR programming for installation Airmen and their families. Those panels and the overall atmosphere of idea sharing went a long way with attendees.
“I loved listening to other commanders, getting tips and tricks … idea sharing has been among the best things here,” said Lt. Col. Lee Comerford, commander of the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida. “It’s all about utilizing the resources available to us to the max extent possible, so we can reinvest in Airmen and their families, and create an environment for them to thrive.”
Col. Marc Piccolo, AFSVA commander, was pleased with the outcome of the event.
“It was long overdue,” said Piccolo. “Commanders and civilian leaders who participated left with a renewed energy and tools to assist them in taking care of Airmen and families at the installation. I thought it went extremely well.”