News

446th Mission Support Group adapting to joint base changes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Reserve Airmen from the 446th Mission Support Group here are now getting support from various Army programs as part of the joint base realignment by the Department of Defense. However, for now, the group will not undergo a restructure like the one that recently took place with its active duty counterpart.

The 62nd MSG was inactivated in September and immediately reactivated as the 627th Air Base Group, an organization with both an operational mission and an installation support mission.

"Our mission will remain the same," said Master Sgt. Anita Barnes, 446th Services Flight senior Air Reserve Technician. "We'll continue to be a direct support unit to Air Force Reserve Command."

Sergeant Barnes said the 446th MSG will undergo a less radical change in December, when her services flight merges with the 446th Mission Support Squadron to become the 446th Force Support Squadron. This change should not have any significant impact on day-to-day activities of the group's Reservists, other than some of the support they get will now come from the Army.

For example, lodging at McChord Field's Evergreen Inn has changed hands from an Air Force program to an Army program. So the 446th SVF will have to adapt to any changes in the Army process, said Sergeant Barnes. When it comes to assigning rooms, "Army and Air Force members will still be priority one," said Sergeant Barnes.

The dining hall at McChord Field will also receive operational support from the Army, allowing active duty Army personnel to eat meals there.

"We will work with everyone involved in joint base changes to make the mission flow as seamlessly as possible," said Sergeant Barnes.