HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The 66th Air Base Group here, part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, plays a vital role in the Air Force’s warfighting capabilities.
What.We.Do. spotlights the units and organizations that make up Hanscom Air Force Base.
In this edition, members of the 66th Force Support Squadron explain how their many morale, welfare, recreation and support programs benefit the acquisition mission and the broader base community.
The 66 FSS mission is to deliver relevant programs and services that support today’s Total Force through a vision focused on innovation, professionalism and readiness.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Customer service is at the heart of 66 FSS, with its impact visible across all squadron flights.
Forward-facing operations in Youth Services, Sustainment Services, Community Services, Force Development, Military and Family Readiness and the Honor Guard often take center stage.
Revenue-generating operations, such as Outdoor Recreation, the Child Development Center and the base pool, sustain themselves through fees collected by each facility.
Non-appropriated funds are generated at the local level through customer-based services like equipment rentals and membership fees. These funds are not derived from congressional appropriations and are instead reinvested into personnel, equipment upgrades and service enhancements. Some of the largest community events, like Summer Bash and HansCOMICON are made possible through these locally generated funds.
“We must generate money to stay open, though most people think we’re government-funded,” said Paul Hartigan, Community Services Flight chief. “Our business standards come from the Air Force level. If we don’t meet those financial performance standards, we have to adapt and overcome.”
The squadron’s target audience spans all demographics, generations, and interest groups. The needs and preferences of the average FSS customer are constantly changing, and the squadron must change with them.
“66 FSS plays a vital role in every aspect of life at Hanscom,” said Scott Craver, Sustainment Services Flight chief. “From supporting families with child care to providing Honor Guard details, boosting morale through events and ensuring fitness standards, we are an integral part of the community.”
Support Services
FSS support services encompass several flights and sections, including Resource Management, Marketing, Command Support Staff, Manpower, and both Civilian and Military Personnel.
These teams operate beyond direct combat roles and ensure funds are managed, personnel are cared for, and information is accessible.
The scope of FSS support extends beyond the 66 ABG, serving units at New Boston Space Force Station, Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire, and other locations across New England.
Key functions include ID card issuance, Military Personnel Flight actions, commercial sponsorship program and local private organization support.
“We play a critical role in supporting military missions by managing resources, personnel, technology and other forms of logistical support,” said Donnie Parish, 66 FSS deputy.
Together, these efforts form a coordinated system of support that fosters a ready and resilient community.
“Ultimately, we are contributing to the overall mission readiness and success of Hanscom Air Force Base and the Air Force,” Parish said.