LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 735th Supply Chain Operations Group , formerly known as the 735th Supply Chain Management Group, activated three new squadrons July 22, the latest step in the evolution of the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center.
The group stood up the 438th, 439th and 440th Supply Chain Operations Squadrons in an effort to better focus the group's mission on centralized enterprise supply support to the war fighters, as well as becoming more organizationally parallel to the Air Force's unit structure. The unit currently boasts more than 600 total force personnel.
"Our new organizational structure will bring increased focus and attention to key commander' s programs and improve support to our military members," said Col. Rick Bennett, 735 SCOG commander. "Adding three squadron commanders provides unity and a span of control, and reduces turmoil at the leadership level, as commanders are less susceptible to deployments."
"What the warfighter wants is simplicity, speed and reliability," he added. "When there is confusion, they want to call one person to have it resolved. We want to be that one person, handling any supply problems they have. This reorganization will help us increase our capability to do just that."
According to Colonel Bennett, the squadrons will have dedicated support roles, as one squadron will support fighter platforms, one will support bombers and specialty aircraft, and the third provides policy and procedures for the other two squadrons. They will also providing global base supply computer system, stock fund and equipment management support.
In addition to providing better mission focus, Colonel Bennett said he "hopes the Airmen will adopt a stronger sense of identity and pride working in smaller, more intimate units."
"I think there will be more pride in ownership - getting to see our vision become a reality and the direct impact their work has on the warfighter each and every day," he said.
The 438 SCOS will be commanded by Lt. Col. Joseph Moehlmann, while the 439 SCOS will be commanded by Lt. Col. Eric Ellmyer. Lt. Col. John Denson, Jr., director of the Virginia Air National Guard's 192d Supply Chain Management Squadron, assumed operational leadership of the 440 SCOS, a fully integrated squadron.
"Installing an ANG in this leadership role reflects our dedication to the total force integration initiative," Colonel Bennett said. "We have more than 50 guardsmen working alongside active duty Airmen. You wouldn't know they were guardsmen unless they told you."
The organizational changes are identical to those happening in the 635 SCOG at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Both groups comprise the 635th Supply Chain Management Wing, also headquartered at Scott.
The 735 SCOG supports 16 different weapons systems and more than 2,200 different airframes. The group provides service to nine major commands, six combatant commands, 112 main operating bases and 35 area of responsibility locations, performing 5.8 million transactions, including 10,000 mission capable/mission capability and 20,000 equipment transactions each month.