JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the 87th Force Support Squadron continues to provide military support and assistance throughout Joint Base MDL while dealing with various obstacles.
Before the pandemic, the 87th FSS had been providing more than 2,000 events per year with over 150 events per month to the Joint Base MDL community. Since the beginning of the pandemic, those numbers have decreased to 30 or less events a month, which is only 20 percent of what it is offering.
Due to social distancing, W.T. Little, 87th FSS deputy commander, was forced to adapt the workload with limited staffing, causing changes that effected daily operations.
“We have 1,200 employees that make up our FSS, including military, civilian, and contractors”, said Little. “We have less than 8 percent that are teleworking but not every position within FSS can telework.”
Community Services Flight had to close down sports programs, bowling alleys, arts and craft services, auto hobby shops, outdoor recreation, and fitness centers. Force Development Flight either slowed or stopped educational services, such as college courses, and CLEP and DANTES testing. The Flight Kitchen, an ongoing project to provide dining for military flight personnel, came to a pause when the pandemic took effect, according to Little.
“The 87th FSS is about family and taking care of people in order to build close relationships,” said Little. “When the pandemic came, it caused some of our events and projects to be put on hold while we had to mandate people to follow safety procedures.”
Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Grass, 87th FSS superintendent, continued to manage operations with persistence.
Like Little, Grass’s contribution led to re-opening various facilities around the Joint Base MDL community, such as: dining facilities for take-out only, School Age Care, Military Personnel Flight, and Pudgy’s Bar with limited seating. Also, he managed Child Development Center to re-open for mission essential personnel, operating at 65 percent capacity. In a successful manner, the Kish Airman Leadership School completed its first all virtual graduation.
“Once the pandemic hit, a number of squadrons tailored back on their missions but our squadron has been working non-stop to accomplish various operations in order to support our missions,” said Grass. “We are continuing the fight against COVID-19 while assuring the morale and welfare of our customers.”
Grass and Little have shown devotion and determination to strive through this pandemic by providing full support to the squadron and community in this uncharted situation.
While some facilities have slowly opened up, the date is still unknown for reopening most facilities to fully operational. The 87 FSS will continue to fight against the pandemic and urges the Joint Base MDL community to do the same.