The White Falcon - 15.10.1993, Qupperneq 2

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Support Squadron strives for quality
By MaJ. Beverly Wright
Commander, 35th MSSQ
The 35th Mission Support Squadron’s (MSSQ) mission is to
provide quality communications and computer, personnel, informa-
tion management, education, social actions, and transition assistance
support for military and civilian personnel within the 35th Wing.
Our customers are the reason we exist, and we are fortunate to have
75 highly motivated personnel assigned to the squadron continuously
looking for ways to improve our services. As a result, the squadron’s
endeavors directly fit the Quality Air Force/Total Quality Leadership
framework. Hopefully, this article will help us proceed on our quality
journey by helping our customers understand our role.
The squadron’s Military Personnel Right consists of 25 personnel
providing a wide range of support such as relocations, performance
report, manning, awards and decorations, promotion, on-the-job
training and identification card services. Within this flight, continu-
ous face-to-face interaction with customers fosters direct customer
feedback and improved services based on that feedback. Recent
major accomplishments include a complete reorganization for more
efficient operations, and introduction of a computerized training
documentation system for wing-wide personnel.
The Information Management Flight provides records/files man-
agement, administrative communications, orders, publishing, publi-
cations and postal service support for the wing. This flight is staffed
with 10 personnel and is our lifeline to the rest of the Air Force. For
that matter, it’s our connection to the rest of the world. Timely and
accurate information maintenance and distribution are at the heart of
this flight’s endeavors. The flight’s recent accomplishments include
implementation of an automated message distribution system and
significant facility upgrades to the Postal Service Center.
Human relations and substance abuse awareness issues are man
aged by the Social Actions Flight. This flight works closely with
Navy’s Counseling and Assistance Center to co-facilitate seminl
and educate and counsel personnel. In recent months, the flight hi
instituted a human relations course specifically for all personnel
serving their first tour of duty here at Keflavfk.
The Education Office works with the Navy Education Office to
continuously improve the off-duty civilian education and PME
programs offered to Keflavfk personnel. Currently, our education
office is ranked third in our major command for student enrollment.
Our customer questionnaire distributed in July and August 1993 has
helped to identify desired education courses.
The squadron’s Transition Assistance Program Manager provides
job search and veterans benefits counseling and assistance for person-
nel preparing to separate or retire. This office serves both Air Force
and Navy personnel. A program created as a result of force draw-
downs mandated by Congress, it has eased the transition to civilian
life for hundreds of Keflavfk personnel.
The sixth and final functional area of the squadron is the commu-
nications-Computer Systems Flight. This flight maintains well over
$2 million worth of computer systems equipment supporting data
systems in the personnel, supply, financial and various other areas.
This 24-hour operation is critical to the timely update and inquiry of
data affecting the entire wing and various outside organizations. The
dedicated support provided by this flight’s 30 personnel ensures
continuous communications and computer support for the wing.
The mission support business is extremely challenging and reward-
ing, especially in these days of rapid technological and force structun
changes. As a result, it is imperative that we concentrate cm providi
the services and making the improvements which are most impoi
to our customers. We encourage you to continue to let us know how
we may do so.
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Iceland’s Lighthouses
Correction
The Oct. 1 White Falcon contained
an article about the new vehicle in-
spection station. The rates for inspec-
tions were incorrect. They should be
as follows:
Annual inspection - 2660 Kronur
Late fee (after two month grace pe-
riod) - 446 Kronur.
Re-Inspection (after failure) - 900
Kronur.
By Chaplain Dennis Young
Scattered around the coast of Iceland stand
more than 100 lighthouses. Also ready to
help hapless seafarers are the 53 rescue sta-
tions offering huts for shelter from storm, ice,
and shrieking winds.
Included among the equipment for rescue
and first-aid in these stations are lifeboats,
long ropes, heavy blankets, and nourishing
foods.
Never knowing when the cry for help might
be raised, rescuers stand ready to man the
boats to lift victims from the clutches of the
sea. While preferring not to have to use the
equipment at all, the brave islanders quickly
respond to need any hour of the day or night.
Lights from Iceland’s lighthouses stave off
many shipping accidents, as would be ex-
pected. Those lights must not be permitted to
stop for an instant. The worse the storm, the
more the light is needed.
So it is with the church. Scattered through-
out the world, Christians are to radiate the
light of God’s redemptive, reaching love. It
is both a privilege and a heavy responsibilty.
The
White Falcon
Commander, Iceland Defense Force
RADM Michael D. Haskins
Public Affairs Officer
LT Joseph L. Quimby
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Fridthrir Kr. Eydal
Public Affairs LPO
JOl David Crenshaw
Editor
J02 Carlos Bongioanni
Journalist
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
The White Falcon isprintedbytheNAS Keflavik
Print Plane Photo processing is provided by Fleet
Imaging Command Detachment Keflavik.
The White Falcon is an authorized, government-
funded weekly publication of the Iceland Defense Force.
Contents of The White Falcon are not necessarily the
official views of or endorsed by, the U. S. Government,
the Department of Defense or the Iceland Defense
Force. Everything advertised in this publication shall be
made available without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, age, marital status, physical handicap, or any other
non-merit factor. The White Falcon is located in Bldg.
936, tel. ext. 4612 or 4552.
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The White Falcon