The 97th Force Support Squadron's lineage began Sept. 11, 1947, when the unit was first activated as Squadron D, 97th Airdrome Group at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The unit also served at Biggs AFB, Texas and Eaker AFB, Ark. before moving to Altus AFB, Okla. where it was aligned under the 97th Mission Support Group. On May 5, 2008, the unit was re-designated as the 97th Force Support Squadron.

The squadron is comprised of ten flights which supports the training, airlift and refueling missions of the 97th Air Mobility Wing by providing premier manpower, civilian personnel, military personnel, lodging, dining, education, professional development, library, family support, child care and leisure services.

Military Personnel

Handles all personnel issues pertaining to active-duty, reserve and retired service members and their dependents. Included in the military personnel areas of responsibility are: assignments, separations, retirements, decorations, evaluations, promotions, deployment processing, reenlistments, extensions, training, ID Cards, DEERS updates and squadron in-processing.

Civilian Personnel

Provides advice and assistance to commanders and supervisors on federal personnel rules, regulations and procedures concerning Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense and Non-Appropriated Fund employees for the following areas: recruitment, training, labor relations, compensation and conduct/discipline.

Manpower and Organization

The flight serves as Day “1” Consultants providing comprehensive manpower and organization management capability to commanders by advising on optimal resource utilization through data gathering and statistical analysis. These services include managing manpower requirements and organization structure on the Unit Manpower Document, application of manpower determinants, management advisory/consulting services, wartime manpower support, and manages the wing process improvement programs.

Sustainment Services Flight

Provides lodging for temporary duty and transient personnel, operates dining facilities for the enlisted work force and aircrew, and provides fitness and sports programs, activities, and facilities for all assigned personnel. The Hangar 97 Dining Facility provides high quality hot, nutritious food service to all enlisted and aircrew personnel annually in support of the Air Force readiness and peacetime mission. The Red River Inn annually accommodates 2,980 guests staying 53K bed-nights in 226 rooms throughout nine buildings. The Fitness Center improves the quality of life and morale while preparing the military personnel for deployments by displaying excellence in physical fitness and athletic programming and competition.

Military and Family Readiness Flight

Provides active duty members, retirees, DoD civilians and their families a wide range of services: relocation, information and referral assistance, financial guidance, spouse employment, transition, and Personal/Work/Life skills. It is a support base for families when the sponsor is away. The Military & Family Readiness Center also provides Base Leadership with consultation services and resources to enhance quality of life and mission readiness.

Child and Youth Flight

The flight includes the Child Development Center, the Youth Center, and School Liaison Program Manager. They are responsible for providing child development services, a broad spectrum of recreational and educational opportunities youth and their families. The School Liaison Program Manager also facilitates a smooth transition for military families and assists with school-related matters for the families of Altus AFB.

Force Development Flight

The flight offers a variety of professional development, educational services, and support to Team Altus members. The flight has a broad academic offering for enlisted, officers, civilians and their dependents

in furthering their education. Additionally, the flight provides professional military education through the First Term Enlisted Course for Airmen that are experiencing their first duty station, as well as the three tiers of the Enlisted Foundations course. Force Development Flight also provides Airman Leadership School, as Airmen prepare to advance into the ranks of non-commissioned officers, they must complete Airman Leadership School. Our Development Advisor is available to all military and civilian employees on the base to guide them in choosing their career paths and offering continuing professional education classes to further their knowledge, skills and abilities. The Altus AFB Library supports the community through their services, providing education and reading materials for all ages.

Community Services Flight

Provides efficient, solvent, affordable, adaptable and customer-driven integrated food, outdoor recreation, bowling, golf and community-driven programs. Additionally, the flight provides leisure-time facilities and equipment to meet the social and recreational needs of the Altus community. Leisure-time facilities include Club Altus, Freedom Community Center, Outdoor Recreation, Galaxy Bowling Center, Windy Trails Golf Course, Framing & Engraving shop, Auto Skills Development Center, Swimming Pool, and Archery range.

Resource Management Flight

The RM flight provides financial and Information Technology (IT) support for the squadron. The flight manages appropriated budgets and expenditures for 7 flights within the squadron, ensuring members have the resources needed to meet mission requirements. The NAF Accounting Office oversees financial operations for all Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities, processes payroll for NAF employees, and acts as the central cashier depository. Our IT section supports over 300 end users.   In addition to supporting standard administrative .mil users, FSS IT maintains an internal commercial network that provides support to NAF revenue generating operations.

Marketing Department

The department is here to spread the word about the Force Support Squadron and all the activities and resources that we offer. We gather information from each of the flights with regard to upcoming activities and events on base and then create flyers, posters and other advertising material to let the base know what's going on. In addition, we've harnessed the power of the internet and social networking sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, to reach the maximum number of people possible. We put our flyers on our website and mobile application along with menus, hours of operation and other important base wide information. In addition to marketing our materials, we take pictures at events, and assist Activity Managers with marketing plans to ensure that we get the word out to the max number of people in ample time to ensure max participation at our events.

(Current as of March 2025)

The 97th Civil Engineer Squadron's lineage began Dec. 1, 1947, when the unit was first activated as Squadron C, 97th Airdrome Group at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The unit also served at Biggs AFB, Texas, and Eaker AFB, Arkansas, before moving to Altus AFB, Oklahoma, where it was eventually aligned under the 97th Mission Support Group.

The squadron supports the training, airlift and refueling missions of the 97th Air Mobility Wing by providing facilities and infrastructure, utility services, emergency management, environmental stewardship, housing referral and privatized housing liaison, unaccompanied housing management and fire protection services. The squadron has 258 personnel and manages a $25 million annual operating budget. Additionally, the squadron is an integral part of the Aerospace Expeditionary Force with 156 members on Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force teams. This year, 54 personnel were deployed in nine countries for a total of 9,720 days.

The squadron is comprised of 5 flights, with the Operations Flight being the largest.

The Operations Flight

The flight is comprised of 128 military and civilian craftsmen. These craftsmen are the driving force behind maintenance of utility systems, road and airfield surfaces, heating, air conditioning, electrical and airfield lighting, structural, roofing and fire alarm systems. In addition, the flight manages an average of $4.2 million in service contracts annually. These contracts include contractor owned supply store for maintenance supplies, custodial, refuse, recycling, grounds maintenance and other supporting contracts to provide high quality facilities for the base populace to live, work, play and train.

The Engineering Flight

The flight manages the planning, programming, design, construction and GEOBASE common installation picture (CIP) for Altus AFB. The Flight is responsible for 418 project opportunities worth over $1.03B and ongoing construction in excess of $31M. The program consists of military construction, non-appropriated funds, Defense Logistics Agency, anti-terrorism/force protection, and operations and maintenance projects. We also manage the natural resources and encroachment around the base. The military training routes are a natural resource that ensures the viability of the base flying training mission. Participating in the DAF Mission Sustainment Working Group provides knowledge of issues or threats that could impact the local mission. An example is the planning staff of engineering flight identified and engaged with a potential wind farm developer and the local community to communicate the likely training mission impacts of future development. To add to the natural resources the flight obtained Readiness and Environment Protection Integration (REPI) funds to secure water rights for the base. Water availability is our number one encroachment issue. None of this forward vision in the planning and development arena would have been possible without the use of our Geospatial Information Systems (GIS). Flight GIS personnel reestablished the web viewer for Altus data and improved data integrity through FIAR (Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness) compliance checks and coordination with the real property office.

The Installation Management Flight

Provides daily wing level management of environmental programs, real property management, space optimization, and the best quality living conditions for Altus Airmen and their families while delivering comprehensive squadron level financial management, information technology, and force management. Altus AFB is leading AETC in Space Optimization having the most up to date set of Base Real Property records. The environmental program maintains a proven track record in regulatory compliance, experiencing multiple No-Notice inspections with no findings of deficiency. The Housing element manages 3 dorms for permanent party and non-prior service airmen, providing quality living space for up to 300+ airmen. Military family housing consists of 530 privatized housing units valued at $151M and maintains one of the highest resident satisfaction ratings for privatized housing in the Air Force. The Capital Asset Element of this flight provides IT support and force management activities for a 258 person squadron, and executed $19.9M in FY24 and is set to execute $14M in FY25.

The Fire and Emergency Services Flight

Provides structural, hazardous material, aircraft crash, fire prevention, fire protection and emergency medical response services for all aircraft, facilities and personnel. Additionally, the flight manages fire protection operations for aircraft operations at the Clinton-Sherman Auxiliary Field in Burns Flat, Okla. The Fire and Emergency Services Flight made 244 emergency responses during FY18. The Fire Prevention Section conducted 525 facility fire safety inspections and trained 2,600 members of Altus AFB in fire safety and extinguisher use. Through the use of a state of the art mobile fire prevention trailer, 519 children received home fire safety and fire reporting training as part of a community wide education program in the Altus Public School system. Additionally, the Altus AFB fire training facility is one of thirteen State of Oklahoma certified training sites for use in Oklahoma State University's fire science program. In addition to training with our 11 mutual aid partners on confined space, hazardous materials, aircraft, structural, car, dumpster and vehicle extraction operations, the flight hosts and augments OSU instructors.

The Readiness and Emergency Management Flight

Provides peacetime emergency preparedness and wartime contingency training to 1,368 active duty, reserve personnel and their dependents. They are further charged with managing Civil Engineer mobility requirements through the Expeditionary Engineering section. In addition, they prepare the installation for response to major accidents, natural disasters and terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) through development of the Altus AFB Installation Emergency Management Plan 10-2, contingency response training, management of the Emergency Operations Center and on-scene response. R&EM, in concert with Fire Emergency Services and Bio-Environmental, has created a team of first responders to expedite the response to crisis situations, test for the presence of WMD materials and provide leadership timely and accurate detection information. The Installation Office of Emergency Management also serves as liaisons with the local community, coordinating with local and regional emergency managers, medical response coordinators, and private and government agencies that all play a role in emergency response and protection for Altus AFB and the surrounding area. Finally, the R&EM Flight facilitates training and operation of the Wing’s Emergency Operations Center in compliance with the Air Force Incident Management System (AFIMS).

(Current as of March 2025)

The 97th Contracting Flight awards and manages a $145M portfolio of supply, service, and construction contracts in support of the 97th Air Mobility Wing and Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Arkansas. In FY24, the 35-member unit executed $76.2M, its third annual record-breaking year. The unit is comprised of three separate and distinct operational elements: Base Support and Infrastructure, Construction, and Plans and Programs. In addition, the 97th Contracting Flight serves as the installation program management office for the 97th Air Mobility Wing’s Government Purchase Card (GPC) Program.

The unit's commitment to quality and excellence earned it the distinction as the Best AETC Small Contracting Unit Awards in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2014 and 2015 and achieving the coveted "Outstanding" Rating for the HQ AETC Inspector General in 2006. The unit has also garnered Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for the following years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2019.

Mission

Supporting operational needs by acquiring critical resources and developing innovative procurement leaders!

 Vision

To develop Mission-Focused Business Leaders who embody readiness
and lethality while providing innovative contracting solutions

Base Support and Infrastructure Element

This element provides for the acquisition of supplies and equipment for Base Support and Infrastructure requirements to include the Base Telecommunications Service, Grounds Maintenance, Custodial Services, Integrated Solid Waste Management, IT equipment, medical service contract support, and other training, maintenance, and mission support requirements. It negotiates and administers all service contracts for a $70M portfolio.

Construction Element

This element negotiates architect-engineer design contracts as well as purchases and administers construction contracts for alterations, maintenance, and repair of real property. This element utilizes a Multiple Award Construction Contract for a total contract portfolio value of $82.5M.

Plans and Programs Element

This element provides oversight of contracting systems administration, Government Purchase Card program, quality assurance, and manages the Contracting Officer Warrant Program. The element also supports unit leadership and personnel in the tracking, reporting, and business system processes needed to closeout contracts within the allowed timeframes. Lastly, this element performs special assignments and participates in special projects as the Commander’s discretion.

(Current as of March 2025)

The 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron delivers agile logistics in support of the Air Force's sole C-17, KC-135, & KC-46 Formal Training Units. Additionally, it provides combat-ready Airmen by executing the Wing’s contingency and deployment programs supporting wartime, peacetime, and humanitarian operations. The squadron is comprised of 328 officer, enlisted, and civilian personnel broken into five functional flights.

Aerial Operations Flight

The Aerial Operations Flight is largest Air Transportation footprint outside of Air Mobility Command comprised of 73 Airmen that perform Air Freight, Aerial Delivery, Fleet and Passenger Service operations.  The Air Freight section plays a significant role in supporting the Unilateral Aircrew Training mission providing realistic training assets consisting of palletized cargo, and rolling stock.  The Aerial Delivery section is responsible for the rigging and recovery of airdrop platforms and Container Delivery Systems to execute AETC’s C-17 advanced skills mission.  The Fleet Service section supports clean and dirty requirements for the C-17, KC-135 and KC-46 aircrafts to ensure a safe and sanitary environment.  The Passenger Services section manages the screening, processing, and manifesting of all Space-Required and Space-Available passengers.

Material Management Flight

The Materiel Management Flight, consisting of 53 military and civilian personnel, manages 40 distinctly different programs within eight section in direct support of the Air Force's formal C-17, KC-135 and KC-46 training missions. The flight manages 10 stockrooms with more than 300,000 units valued at $60 million dollars with an overall 97 percent inventory accuracy rate. In addition to the base supply account, they manage the Wing's Chemical Warfare Defense Ensemble stockpile, with 64,046 assets and weapons for all training and real-world missions valued at $3.3 million dollars. The Flight Service Center Section processes all repair cycle actions for mission critical assets returning to depot for Enterprise usage. Additionally, they are the Wing's liaison and focal point for Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services for Altus AFB and Ft. Sill.

Deployment and Distribution Flight 

The Deployment and Distribution Flight consists of 76 military and civilian personnel from the Logistics Plans, Traffic Management, and Ground Transportation career fields. This diverse flight is responsible for a wide array of support activities that enable the Wing’s mission.

The Logistics Plans section manages the Installation Deployment Readiness Cell, ensuring that Wing personnel meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements for mobility commitments.

The Traffic Management’s Household Goods/Personal Property Office manages all personal property movements within a 20-county area that spans two states, provides entitlement counseling for installation personnel, and serves as the liaison between customers and the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office.

The Passenger Travel section coordinates commercial and military official travel arrangements for assigned personnel. Traffic Management’s Cargo Movement section is the installation’s sole entity responsible for the efficient and economical commercial shipment and receipt of aircraft engines, mission critical parts and supplies.

The Ground Transportation Section provides safe, economical and timely organic vehicle support to meet the ground transportation needs of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, including Distinguished Visitor transportation support, expedient aircrew transportation, group transportation, vehicle recovery and cargo delivery services.

Fuels Management Flight

The Fuels Management Flight consists of 51 military and civilian professionals. Their efforts support the Air Force’s sole training hub for strategic airlift, aerial delivery, and air refueling by providing top notch aviation fuel and cryogenic products. Services of which feed 5,300 local and transient sorties annually.  Altus’ Fuels Controllers and Accountants manage the distribution of over 40 million gallons of fuel per year, the largest account in the Air Education and Training Command.  To ensure fuels quality control, Fuels Laboratory personnel perform approximately 7,000 analysis and 1,500 sample tests annually.

Vehicle Management Flight

The Vehicle Management Flight consists of eight different sections manned by 28 military and 14 civilian members. Together, they maintain the 97 AMWs 382 vehicles and equipment worth 77 million dollars. The bases fleet ranges from General Purpose and Specialized Vehicles, Firetrucks, Forklifts, 25K & 60K Loaders, Aircraft Tow Tractors, and Refuelers. In addition to managing the base vehicle fleet, Vehicle Management is responsible for three firetrucks at the Clinton Sherman Auxiliary Airfield located at Burns Flat. The ingenuity and tenacity of the Vehicle Management Flight ensures the Altus AFB training mission maintains a constant, ready state in support of the C-17, KC-135, and KC-46 aircraft.

(Current as of March 2025)

The 97th Security Forces Squadron was originally activated as the 1707th Air Police Squadron in January 1953 at Palm Beach Air Force Base, Fla. The squadron consisted of 38 airmen providing security for the base and flight line.

In June 1959, the squadron was deactivated at Palm Beach AFB and relocated at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. The 1707th Air Transport Wing became the 443rd Military Airlift Wing Jan. 1, 1966.

The 443rd Military Airlift Wing became part of the Military Airlift Command July 1, 1968. At that time, the security police unit was transferred from Tinker Air Force Base to Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and designated the 443rd Security Police Squadron.

In October 1992, the 443rd Military Airlift Wing became the 97th Air Mobility Wing under the Air Mobility Command, and the 443rd Security Police Squadron became the 97th Security Police Squadron.

In July 1993, the 97th Air Mobility Wing became part of the Air Education and Training Command. The squadron was redesignated the 97th Security Forces Squadron in July 1997.

The 97th Security Forces Squadron provides security for C-17, KC-135 and KC-46 aircraft, as well as provides force protection and law enforcement support for more than 10,000 active duty military, DOD civilians, contractors, family members and retired personnel in the community. In addition, the unit is tasked with a worldwide mobility commitment.

​(Current as of April 2019)