The Air Force has been working toward a new people services arrangement that would merge mission support and services squadrons, enveloping all quality of life and people-type services into a new Force Support Squadron. Officials expect the two-year transition process to produce an FSS comprising five flights: force development, manpower and personnel, airmen and family services, sustainment services, and community services. (Sustainment comprises food, fitness, and lodging services.) The Air Force has been testing this arrangement at various bases over the past year and found initial “challenges” but already also sees “benefits,” said Maj. Sarah Schultz, 319th FSS commander at Grand Forks AFB, N.D., one of the test sites. For most airmen, the service expects the change to be transparent. (AFPC report by Richard Salomon)
The B-2 Spirit remains grounded due to safety issues—and the plane’s stand-down is beginning to disrupt planned operations. According to information provided to the media, the stealth strategic bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., was originally scheduled to participate in the latest iteration of…