F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- When the Missile Security Operations Concept was implemented across the missile fields of F. E. Warren, Malmstrom and Minot Air Force Bases, responsibilities and functions of the different squadrons were realigned to more effectively and efficiently defend those facilities.
With the adoption of new operational mission sets, the 90th Security Forces Support Squadron officially became the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron March 26, 2020.
Twentieth Air Force restructured missile wing security forces with MSOC in October 2017. This new initiative created new squadrons and altered current ones.
“MSOC created a third Missile Security Forces Squadron and combined the maintenance support functions and traditional missile field responsibilities of those three squadrons,” said Chief Master Sgt. Raymond Bradley, 90th Security Forces Group Chief Enlisted Manager. “Now, those squadrons work on a rotating schedule, doing the same tasks during their scheduled week in the field, each under one responsible Commander.”
Before MSOC, the 90th SSPTS was a 75-person unit primarily responsible for support functions. Following the integration, SSPTS absorbed the Tactical Response Force and Convoy Response Force sections from the 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, bringing the personnel to 201. Also, MSOC split the squadron’s mission into two distinct duties: The operational mission of TRF, CRF and the small Unmanned Aerial Systems Cell; and the support section of training, armory operations, combat arms, mobility, supply, budget and the Keys Cryptological Control Center.
“On top of maintaining our original mission sets of support, we assumed new mission responsibilities and became more operational with the creation of the sUAS cell and the additions of the TRF and CRF,” said Major Timothy Marriner, 90th MSOS commander. “We’re the core integrating unit of the 90th Security Forces Group; we facilitate the mission of the three missile field security squadrons and the Security Forces Squadron while accomplishing our own operational mission in collaboration with the 37th Helicopter Squadron, 90th Operations Group and the 90th Maintenance Group.”
Given the addition of responsibilities vested in the squadron, a new name was a fitting change.
“We felt it necessary to change the name of these squadrons to give them a more fitting description of their duties,” said Bradley. “By moving TRF and CRF under MSOS’ span of control, it gave them not just a support function but an operational mission set, hence the name change to Missile Security Operations Squadron.”
The importance of the squadron accepting and taking on the challenge of operational responsibilities while nearly tripling the personnel was echoed across the group.
“The designation from SSPTS to MSOS recognizes a change in the squadron’s operational mission,” added Col. Damian Schlussel, 90th Security Forces Group commander. “The new name clearly shows that they are an operational unit and not only a support agency.”