Promotion paints new perspective of squadron

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Paul Maynard
  • 60th Mission Support Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When I was hired as the Superintendent of the 60th Mission Support Group earlier this year, I thought I knew exactly what every unit's mission was in the MSG. It wasn't long after my immersion into the group that I realized my understanding of the various units' mission was elementary at best. So, I'd like to share some of the amazing things that the six units that comprise our group accomplish on a daily basis and some little known facts about our units.

The 60th Civil Engineering Squadron is continuously busy keeping our infrastructure in superb shape. As indicated by Travis' recent win of the Installation Excellence Award and $200,000 prize money, our facilities are some of the best in the Air Force. The civil engineers are responsible for more than 1,800 facilities valued at more than $4 billion.

Our airfield is bigger than some towns and is equivalent to 584 football fields. Since its Energy Awareness Month, I have to give a couple plugs to energy conservation. The energy custodians tell me that each year the utility bill for Travis is $10 million. However, if we each do our part we can have a tremendous impact. Recycling just one beverage drink can save enough electricity to power a 100-watt light bulb for 3 ½ hours; and if everyone on base unplugged their coffee pots at night, we could save $400 a year on our electric bill.

The 60th Communications Squadron has the daunting task of managing the largest data network in the command with over 11,000 users and 7,000 devices valued at $40 million.
 
The CS is also home to Air Mobility Command's Telephone Operator Consolidated Call Center where currently six of AMC's 10 bases call our operators for telephone assistance. Our operators handle over 32,000 calls per week.

In today's age of e-mails and cyberspace, we forget that people still mail documents to each other in an official capacity. Our communication personnel also operate the official Mail Center and handle over 300,000 pieces of mail each year.

The smallest in size of our units is the 60th Contracting Squadron, with only 50 personnel. Although small, they have a tremendous impact on Team Travis, especially when we need help with our contractors or our Government Purchase Cards.

Travis has literally thousands of contractors on base each day, but only the contracting officer or a qualified Quality Assurance Evaluator can direct the contractor to perform duties.

Contracting officers know the details of each contract and ensure that the contractors perform every duty outlined on the contract.

There are over 600 GPCs on Travis and our contracting squadron ensures that each one is used properly. With over $33 million spent each year through GPCs, our contracting personnel do a great job of keeping the books straight.

The 60th Force Support Squadron helps keep everyone mission ready at Travis.

The FSS runs the Sierra Inn dining facility and with the implementation of the Food Transformation Initiative, the Sierra Inn recently expanded their operating hours.

They are now open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on holidays and weekends.
 
They also provide a midnight meal from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m every day.

With these operating hours there's plenty of time to grab a meal at AMC's best dining facility.

The FSS also issues Common Access Card and Identification cards to the base populace. To save yourself some time on your next visit to Customer Service section, call ahead for an appointment at 424-7654. You'll be in and out in no time if you do.

The 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron is a unique combination of civilian and military workforce.
 
The Individual Protective Equipment section maintains over 7,000 mobility bags worth $30 million. Many of you will see them in action when you process on the next deployment line.

Our Vehicle Operations Flight is comprised completely of civilian personnel who provide outstanding service each day. They provide taxi service to members of Team Travis for official duty purposes and in the past 10 months they've answered 911 taxi requests.

Last, but not least, the 60th Security Forces Squadron. Often considered the "bad guys" who give out tickets, they're actually the "good guys" charged with protecting and safe-keeping of the installation and its members.

Here are a few pointers from the Security Forces to stay off their radar.
 
U-turns are not authorized on base, unless posted.

Radar detectors must be removed from plain sight when entering the installation and the speed limit in base housing is 15 mph, unless otherwise posted.

One last tip from our Security Forces, new residents with an out-of-state driver's license must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing a permanent residence in California.

The military exemption only applies to the military member and not the dependents.

This is only a small look into the 60th MSG. Each unit within the group has their unique way of supporting the thousands of people that comprise Team Travis.
 
I'm proud of the men and women of the MSG and the work they do each and every day, but your feedback is essential to our success. If you have feedback for any of our units, I'd be happy to hear from you.