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375th Force Support Squadron activates

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Davis
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The 375th Force Support Squadron activated Friday at the Scott Club, integrating the 375th Mission Support Squadron and the 375th Services Squadron into a single squadron. 

Maj. Billeye Juarez assumed command of the newly activated squadron with 375th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Melissa Applegate presiding over the ceremony. During the ceremony, Maj. Timothy Sites, 375th SVS commander, was relieved of his command and the two squadrons were deactivated. 

"Today we are making a difference; we will integrate support and services to improve efficiency and quality of customer service," said Colonel Applegate. "This will enable the new squadron to further improve personnel support, quality of life and community support." 

The new 375th FSS will consist of the following flights: Force Development, Manpower and Personnel, Airmen and Family Services, Sustainment Services and Community Services. 

"Combining these two squadrons will allow a single squadron to focus on the customer," said Colonel Applegate. "For example the new structure will combine the former services squadron's Family Member Service Flight, the Youth Center and the Child Development Center with the Mission Support Squadrons Airman and Family Readiness Center. They are both focused on supporting our families, but now unified under one commander." 

During the ceremony, Major Juarez spoke about the future improvements the 375th FSS will have on Team Scott. 

"This is a behind-the-scenes change that will be transparent to most Scott Airmen," said Major Juarez. "If someone needs to get an ID card or go to the Education Center, in most cases, that person will still go to the same location they're familiar with today, but our base will have a new organizational structure in place to support our Airmen more effectively and efficiently." 

The merger is a result of mission support and services functional area mergers Air Force wide will include all active duty and Reserve organization on base. 

Major Juarez ended the ceremony with words of encouragement to the newly activated squadron. 

"I'm excited to be your commander . . . This is about you - you are making history today at Scott," she said. "Thank you for your patience over the last four months; we will get through this merger and make the squadron better than ever." 

During the ceremony Major Sites was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his service as the 375th SVS commander and will go on to be an action officer with the Air Mobility Command Commander's Action Group.