Wings undergo reorg changes

***image1***In conjunction with the 431st Air Base Group standing up, the 435th Air Base Wing was reorganized Wednesday.

The reorganization resulted in the seven groups under the 435th ABW being reduced to five. The 435th Security Forces Group and the 435th Communications Group were deactivated and the 431st ABG, part of the 38th Combat Support Wing, took command of several communications and security forces operating locations.

“It geographically narrows the area each commander has to oversee, and gives them more supervision over their problems than before,” said Lt. Col. Wayne Dockery, former 435th SFG deputy commander.

Three squadrons made up the 435th SFG before the reorganization; now the 38th U.S. Forces Police Services (formerly the 569th Security Forces Squadron), is under the 431st ABG at Vogelweh and only one security forces squadron remains here under the 435th Mission Support Group. This allows each squadron to focus on its own tasks at Ramstein and Vogelweh.

“This allows the two squadron commanders to directly control resources they need such as training,” said Colonel Dockery. “For example the 569th (SFS) has a huge traffic program so they will receive more training on that.”

The 435th CG, which was made up of the 435th, 735th and 835th communications squadrons, re-aligned as the 435th CS under the 435th MSG and as communications flights under the 431st Air Base Squadron. Also, any theater communications, such as weather support will be re-assigned under the 86th Air and Space Communications Group.

“This will better align theater comm missions under the 86th so the 435th can focus on local issues and not worry about travel teams,” said Col. Vincent Valdespino, former 435th CG commander.

With the communications squadron reassigned under the 431st ABS, it allows the communications operating locations at Sembach and Vogelweh to be supervised directly from those locations and allows the 435th CS to focus directly on Ramstein issues.

The reorganization also geographically narrows the 38th CSW’s command as geographically separated units outside of the KMC are placed under commands closer to their locations.

“We want to make the reorganization transparent to customers and operations and are hoping in the end it will result in more focus on customers at geographically remote locations,” said Colonel Dockery.