New 509th FSS building enables better service for customers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keenan Berry
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Whiteman Air Force Base community gathered Nov. 13 to witness the ribbon-cutting for the new 509th Force Support Squadron facility's grand opening.

The building will serve as a new home for the 509th FSS, and will enable FSS to better serve customers on base.

"The FSS buildings where customers needed to go to handle their business were scattered around base," said 2nd Lt. Nicole Carpenter, 509th FSS chief of force management. "This new building provides a convenient means to suit all their needs, to include in/out-processing and dependent information updates. It also consolidates all aspects of the command section and flights into one facility."

The new building is 12,000 square feet, and is home to several different sections serving different functions.

"When you first walk in on the right is the military personnel section, where all of your customer service, force management and career development needs can be taken care of," said Carpenter. "If you turn left, you are greeted by the command section, to include flight leaders for the sustainment operations, Airman and Family Services, community services, manpower and personnel, force development, and resource management."

Customers said they are excited about the new building and have already found it beneficial in many ways.

"This is a big addition to Whiteman Air Force Base," said Senior Airman Barry Fellows, 509th Civil Engineer waters and fuel systems maintenance journeyman. "It has greatly improved the work atmosphere for the employees, as well as customer satisfaction in knowing we don't have to go to different places to handle business. It has greatly enhanced military performance."

509th Force Support Squadron Commander Maj. Chip Hollinger said he is thrilled about this new location and the amount of hard work that will take place within it.

"As a customer in this process, I am very grateful for the outstanding support from the Army Corps of Engineers, Titan Construction Incorporated, local contractors and the 509th CES," said Maj. Chip Hollinger, 509th FSS commander. "With their precise coordination, they facilitated a plan that permitted non-stop support to the mission and the customers we serve."

Overall, the new 509th FSS building will better serve Airmen and their families, and while the building itself is certainly an exciting addition, it is the dedicated FSS team who will be working hard to meet those needs.

"I have the privilege of leading one of the most diverse and unique squadrons designed to support the most critical asset with in our inventory - our Airmen," said Hollinger. "We will fill the walls of the new 509th FSS building with dedication to serve the Airmen and their family's needs. This is our mission."