(446th AW PA) - The 446 Mission Support Squadron commanded by Lt. Col. William Pelster was deactivated and the 446 Services Flight commanded by Lt. Col. Patricia Keenan was redesignated Dec. 1, combining both units to form the new 446 Force Support Squadron.

The 446 Force Support Squadron was formally activated in a ceremony at Hanger 9 on Dec. 5. Following a welcome by Col. Gerald Vowell, 446 Mission Support Group commander, the former MSS and SVF unit flags were retired and the new 446 FSS flag was unfurled, marking Pelster's assumption of command for the newly formed Force Support Squadron.

Vowell said the merger between mission support and services flight was part of an effort by the Air Force to streamline processes, increase efficiencies, maximize customer services, and cut costs associated with maintaining two separate organizations.

"You put these two functions under one command structure and you can only improve customer services which will be a huge benefit to Joint Base Lewis-McChord community," said Vowell.

Pelster said the Air Force Reserve Command was really looking to the 446 FSS to lead the way in merging organizations.

"Looking across the capabilities of both legacy units, the Air Force really thought through what it would take to make us much more of a war-fighting organization and they created the 446 FSS," said Pelster.

During the ceremony, Keenan reflected on her continued role supporting the merging of the services flight under Pelster's new command.

"Our focus is on the care of people," said Keenan. "As services, we feed, shelter, provide fitness and recreational opportunities to airmen in CONUS and deployed locations. In addition we have this very distinct privilege to care for the families and our fallen servicemembers with the utmost honor and dignity and respect."

Closing the ceremony, Pelster told his new squadron that they each make a difference.

"You really are the thin blue line that separates a world of darkness and potential evil out there from a world of light, hope and opportunity. Every petty little dictator, every terrorist or anybody who wants to do us harm and take away our democracy has to think about you first, because the minute they lift a finger we're going to answer that call and we're going to stop them," said Pelster.