AFIMSC activates detachment at AFDW

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Esther Willett
  • AFDW/PA
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland --  The Airmen of Air Force District of Washington have a new unit dedicated to providing efficient, effective installation support. 

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center stood up Detachment 5 at the Air Force District of Washington here today. 

The detachment, led by interim commander Col. Michael Smith, is the ninth of 10 AFIMSC detachments to be activated across the Air Force.

"We're really stepping into this as an Air Force perhaps not by desire, but more out of necessity and fiscal reality," said Maj. Gen. Theresa Carter, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center commander. "But now that we're doing it, what an opportunity. I think that as long as we focus on the opportunity that this new organization provides, we'll look back and find that we were able to find a more effective and efficient way to deliver support."

By taking responsibility for a number of mission support functions to include services, civil engineering, security forces, finance, and contracting, AFIMSC will allow major commands and direct reporting units to focus on primary mission areas.

"We are an advocate for AFDW," said Smith. "When the command has a number one priority, we will make sure that Headquarters AFIMSC understands how important that is to AFDW."

AFIMSC will serve as a central management organization that will facilitate the equal allocation of resources and the standardization of services consistent with Air Force priorities across all installations.

"Looking over the whole Air Force enterprise, it's difficult to determine what is most important," Smith said. "But I would say the no-fail missions of Andrews such as Air Force One, presidential aircraft recapitalization, and rebuilding America's airfield are of utmost importance."

Detachment 5 collocated at AFDW will initially include 13 members. Their primary priority over the next few months will be establishing sustainable operating procedures and building relationships, Smith said. 

The initial challenges the team will face include dealing with imminent changes that are ahead, to include the transition of personnel and the delineation of responsibilities, said Smith.

"One thing we will not do is let anything drop," he said. "In the interim, we are not going to let anything fail. We'll make sure it gets done. We are here to support AFDW and to make sure the mission continues."

Maj. Gen. Darryl Burke, AFDW commander, said the detachment provides a vital role in supporting the mission and installation.

"We will depend on the men and women of this unit to bring their expertise and passion to communicate and advocate for our mission," said Burke. "This is a time of change for our Air Force, and we must ensure that commanders have responsive, effective mission support."