Reservist leads combined ARM shop

by Capt. Ashley Conner
477th Fighter Group

5/8/2013 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- In an effort to become more efficient,  three F-22 squadrons here have morphed into a super squadron with a Air Force Reservist at the helm of the Aviation Resource Management shop.

Master Sgt. Kristel Strunk, 302nd Fighter Squadron, has the task of combining the 525th, 90th and 302nd FS ARM shops.

This will ensure policies and procedures are standardized to maintain combat mission ready status of the 73 active duty and reserve pilots assigned.

"The only time in the past that we have combined squadron ARM shops is during an exercise," said Strunk. "It's busy, but combining squadrons will allow the pilots to fly more successful training sorties together than they would if they were in separate squadrons."

As the ARM senior NCO, Strunk and the five Airmen are responsible for ensuring that the F-22 pilots are combat mission ready.

"We track training, flying hours and flying currencies among other things" said Senior Airmen Tyler Walter, 302nd FS apprentice. "We also show up about an hour before the pilots do to ensure that weather and NOTAMs are pulled up and coordinate with wing scheduling to get the airspace."

While the super squadron construct will realize efficiencies under the direction of one manager, a side benefit is the efficiency of one operations desk.

"One ops desk improves the relationship with other F-22 squadrons so that we can execute the mission more effectively," said Col. David Piffarerio, 477th Fighter Group deputy group commander. "It will also allow the Airmen more time to focus on other tasks and additional training."