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Multi-Capable Airmen readiness exercise tests 55th Force Support Squadron members

  • Published
  • By L. Cunningham
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

Airmen from the 55th Force Support Squadron participated in a classroom and hands-on training exercise March 28 – April 1, 2022, at Offutt AFB. The Airmen trained in additional functions outside their Air Force specialty code.

55th FSS launched their Home Station Readiness Training in January and are scheduled to perform monthly training classes. The training is a week long on average, with a hands-on exercise scenario on the last day to apply the skills learned. 

“This training prepares our members to support mission essential operations and personnel in contingency environments; providing around-the-clock sustainment operations at home station and deployed locations all over the globe,” said Master Sgt. Nicholas Paulino, 55th FSS Readiness and Plans section chief. “We provide the force with accurate accountability, career driven services, lodging, food services, fitness and recreational activities, and mortuary affairs to include search and recovery operations.”  

Airmen from the services and personnel career fields learned each other’s AFSC so the efficiency of the mission can always be maintained no matter where they're operating. They covered over 16 courses to ensure FSS is always wartime ready.

“Just knowing what each other does on a daily basis, and really just knowing who we can count on and contact. Putting faces to names, and being able to lean on each other knowing that we have each other’s back,” said Tech. Sgt. Quinton Borja, FSS personnalist.

This Multi-Capable readiness training is in response to the 55th Wing becoming an Air Combat Command Lead Wing and to learn to operate within adequate levels of risk in order to accomplish mission objectives.

“With MCA, one minute you can be building a tent and the next minute working accountability, so it’s definitely going to help the mission,” said Senior Airmen Xavier Ramirez, FSS services specialist. “If you are low on manning, you are going to have multiple people being able to step up and do a different type of job and get the mission done.”

The last day of training included establishing contingency field feeding operations and shelters, along with learning and performing mortuary search and recovery operations.

“This training is currently specific to the FSS personnel and is a recurring annual training,” said Paulino. “However, if other squadrons would like to participate, they can contact the FSS Readiness shop at 55FSSSFSOXU@us.af.mil.”