MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho — On December 3, 2021, the 366th Fighter Wing (FW) activated two Fighter Generation Squadrons (FGS), in place of the old aircraft maintenance organizational structure, to realign with the Combat-oriented maintenance organization (COMO model).

From the time the Air Force became a separate service in 1947 until the restructuring of the combat squadron in 2002, the Air Force experimented with different types of organizational structures to test the most effective and effective in maintaining a fleet of combat aircraft ready for combat.

In the mid-1970s, Air Combat Command (ACC), formerly known as Tactical Air Command, adopted the Production-Oriented Maintenance Organization (POMO) plan.

According to Senior Staff Sgt. David Schummer, A3 / 5 superintendent, the 366th FW had an Aircraft Maintenance Squadron until it was deactivated due to an experimental wing reorganization in 2018. Since then, the maintainers of this squadron have integrated to the 389th Fighter Squadron (FS) and to the 391st FS.

The ACC has experimented with several organizational structures over the past few years, and with the lessons learned, Command is entering a period of standardization. Combat air forces began to move away from traditional aircraft maintenance organizational structures to realign themselves with the COMO model.

“I am delighted to prepare mission-ready Gunfighters to fight and win the war of today and the next,” said Major Reis Griffin, commanding officer of the 389th FGS.

This model enhances the Gunfighter’s ability to be better positioned for dynamic force employment in support of Department of Defense priorities. Additionally, it will allow the FS and FGS to maintain unity of effort through consistent synchronization while maintaining each commander’s attention to the operational execution, personnel management and development of their respective squadron.

“I am delighted to start a new chapter in the tiger’s long history,” said Major Jeremy Geidel, commander of the 391st FGS. “I hope to continue the legacy as proudly as you started it.”

This structure allows wings to prepare for an emergency response before a contingency arises, allowing them to deploy and redeploy quickly, increasing the lethality of the unit.

Each FGS is made up of maintainers and administrative staff responsible for the health and generation of air power and is aligned with the fighter squadron with the same number designation.

“As we look into the future, these mighty flying warhorses are not getting any younger, and they require special attention and maintenance while they are here in the United States to ensure they are ready to go.” provide air power anytime and anywhere. Said Colonel Ernesto DiVittorio, commander of the 366th FW. “However, when that call comes in, it is necessary that the team called in to provide that air power be, in fact, a team. With this in mind, the Air Force implemented the concept of mission generation which consists of an FS and, now, an FGS. Two squadrons, forming a team, for any fight.

As a test bed for Generation Fighter squadrons, the first ACC bases to complete the transition were the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base and the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force. Based. All other ACC wings will be transferred by fall 2021.