USAFE, 48th Fighter Wing personnel teams help ease Keflavik transitions

  • Published
  • By Capt. Beth Horine
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION KEFLAVIK, Iceland (USAFENS) --  Base closures are never an easy thing to execute in the Air Force. Transitioning an overseas installation back to its host nation is even tougher, especially when the operational mission must continue even during the changes and upheaval it causes servicemembers and their families. Try accomplishing both feats under a three-to-six month time limit.

At Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, the Airmen assigned to the 85th Group are continuing to expertly execute their air defense mission while preparing to transition to new bases and new locations around the world.

“The reassignment process for the entire group has been an amazing process to watch,” said Col. Phillip Gibbons, 85th Group commander. “Our Airmen and their families are closing this base and moving their families, pets, household goods and vehicles in less than four months, an impossibly short time period for such an undertaking. I appreciate their support in accomplishing this while continuing to safely achieve our flying mission.”

To assist in the reassignments and personnel challenges Airmen are facing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s personnel directorate sent two teams of three experts to Iceland.

The first team was led by the USAFE Director of Manpower and Personnel, Col. Robert “Junior” Suminsby and his two experts, Chief Master Sgt. Brian Glasgow, chief of enlisted assignments, and Master Sgt. Alex Pitsiaeli, superintendent, enlisted assignments, to brief the troops and their spouses on how the closure is going to work from an assignment perspective.

“We felt it was extremely important for the Keflavik community to receive the most timely and accurate information possible concerning the base closure and unit move,” said Chief Glasgow.

The team provided eight target briefings during their first two-day visit to Iceland. Colonel Suminsby personally opened each briefing to stress the dedication the USAFE assignments team had to make this as smooth of a transition as possible. At the end of each briefing, the floor was opened for a question-and-answer session.

The second team traveled to Iceland five days later to begin the assignment process. The team included Master Sgt. Alex Pitsiaeli and Tech. Sgts Kim Perreira from USAFE airman assignments and Tech Sgt. Sean How from the AFPC Force Structure section to ensure unforeseen “snags” could be handled on the spot.

Each member who received an assignment had a face-to-face appointment with a member of the assignment team to allow any questions or concerns to be immediately resolved. The team provided more than 350 assignments, accepted more than 20 special duty applications, and processed more than 20 volunteer statements for Korea in just two days.

“I was really impressed by the Airmen at Keflavik. Though they are dealing with the stressors of a base closure, an unexpected PCS, and unusually long duty hours, they all maintained their professionalism and their morale was surprisingly high.” Tech. Sgt. Kim Perreira, assignment team member.

For the Airmen at NAS Keflavik, although still frustrated about the sudden moves and abrupt changes ahead, they appreciated the one-on-one assistance provided by Air Force leadership.

“I think USAFE/A1 was very proactive and helpful in providing assistance for the enlisted assignments,” said Capt. Karla Taff, 85th Group protocol officer. “Our troops may not have received the assignment they wanted, but the process was thoughtfully laid out … and reduced the majority of anxiety associated with the transition.”

Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel, the 48th Fighter Wing commander and wing commander for the 85th Group, is concerned with the challenges the 85th Group Airmen are facing and is doing everything possible to ease their transition, along with USAFE leadership.
“I understand some of the preparations to relocate have been taxing. Inactivating a group, while continuing the mission, and taking care of future careers and families undoubtedly presents some unique challenges,” General Steel said.

“The process of moving and handling items such as housing, vehicle shipping and schooling has naturally left our Keflavik Airmen with many questions and concerns. For these reasons, I sent some folks from our family support center to Keflavik to help walk our troops through the relocation process,” the general added.

Between the USAFE assignments team and the family support center team here, Keflavik Airmen are beginning to feel more confident the Air Force is taking care of them and their families as they move from Iceland to a new base.

Maj. Tiaa Henderson, 85th Group military personnel flight commander, attested to the USAFE/A1 team providing outstanding support in what has been a stressful time for Keflavik Airmen. “The team came out and provided eight targeted briefings in less than two days to ensure that our Airmen knew how the assignment process would work for them,” Major Henderson said. “They even ensured every Airman received two assignment choices."

Although the coming months will bring many more operational and personal challenges for the Airmen at NAS Keflavik, they have a support system to help at every step along the way.

“I wish to give my deepest thanks to the entire 48th Fighter Wing team for supporting us and ensuring the success of this massive effort,” Colonel Gibbons added.