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 The largest and most diverse team at Altus Air Force Base comprised of more than 1,173 military and civilian personnel across six Squadrons.  Our six units embody the “Sleeves Up…Hands Dirty” motto and provide mission support for our nation's air mobility training mission and decisive combat capabilities.  The Group supports the installation’s C-17, KC-135 and KC-46 aircraft operational and training missions as well as base wide infrastructure support activities to include communications, civil engineering, law enforcement, force/fire protection, contracting, disaster response, environmental services, lodging, transportation, recreation, supply, education, mobility, food service as well as family and personnel support.

97th Force Support Squadron

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.
The Manpower and Organization office
Dedicated to supplying innovative management services to help the wing manage its manpower resources. In addition, they act as the focal point for the Wing's Best Practice program and Air Force Productivity programs.
The 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.
The Airman and Family Readiness Flight
Provides active duty members, retirees, DoD civilians and their families a wide range of services: relocation, information and referral assistance, Air Force Aid, financial guidance, spouse employment, transition, and Family and Life skills. It is a support base for families when the sponsor is away. The Airmen and Family Readiness Center also provides Base Leadership with consultation services and resources to enhance quality of life and mission readiness.
The 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.
The 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 Airman's Center for Airmen that are experiencing their first duty station and also the Airmen's Leadership School as Airmen prepare to advance into the ranks of non-commissioned officers. Our career assistance 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.
The 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.
The Resource Management Flight
Offers financial and Information Technology (IT) support for the squadron. The flight manages an annual budget of $1.4M in APF operating funds across two MAJCOMs and 27 operating activities.  We oversee 17 Government Purchase Card master accounts and manage the NAF Purchase Card program and NAF Contracting requirements. The NAF Accounting Office prepares all NAF financial statements, processes payroll for NAF employees, and acts as the central cashier for all NAF activities. Our IT section supports over 400 desktop PC's and Laptops, as well as over 70 public PC's on 12 servers. In addition to providing support to the standard ".mil" user, FSS IT also configures, installs, and maintains a separate ".com" network.
The 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 April 2019)

97th Civil Engineer Squadron

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 449 project opportunities worth over $277M and ongoing construction in excess of $58M. The program consists of military construction, non-appropriated funds, Defense Logistics Agency, anti-terrorism/force protection, and operations and maintenance projects. Fiscal Year 2019 was a remarkable year in the number and value of projects executed in the first quarter. Close coordination with the local contracting flight led to the award of 5 of 6 projects worth $6.8M by December 2018. With the majority of the project workload executed early in the fiscal year we were able to ensure the renovations of both the 58th AMS and 54th ARS squadron operations facilities started as planned due to squadron operations relocations to B87. These renovations will adapt the two-squadron operations layouts to current training processes improving student throughput. Construction of the KC-46 flight training center (FTC) is wrapping up with the expected project award of the third and final phase of the FTC in April of 2019. The flight continues to push mill and overlay of base roads across the installation and are in the last two funded phases of the 7-phase $5M effort. We completed the construction of the $13.6M Assault Landing Zone (ALZ) converting it from asphalt to concrete pavement in January 2019. The ALZ is back in service as planned ensuring viability of the C-17 training mission. Engineering is more than 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. 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. As a result of forward thinking vision of making Altus great again, Altus AFB is a pilot project for the Air Force "Energy as a Service" initiative to ensure power security and resiliency. 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 Engineering flight is continuing to pursue a local computer server to allow more timely updates of GEOBASE data (CIP) and provide display of base specific information.
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 $35.5M in FY18 and is set to exceed $17M in FY19.
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. 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 April 2019)

97th Contracting Squadron

History of the 97th Contracting Squadron prior to 1991 is not available; however, there has been a procurement function at Altus Air Force Base since the reopening of the base in 1953 under the Tactical Air Command. The squadron and the base later became a part of the Strategic Air Command; in July 1968, the Military Airlift Command assumed command of all related airlift units.

Prior to its activation, the 97th Contracting Squadron was the base procurement office until April 1985 when it relocated under the Deputy Commander for Resource Management. In 1990, the unit was renamed the Operations Contracting Division.

In early 1991, the unit transferred from the 443rd Military Airlift Wing Resource Management and aligned under the 443rd Supply Squadron. Later that year, it became the 443rd Contracting Squadron and realigned under the 443rd Logistics Group.

In June 1992, the base came under the Air Mobility Command. In October 1992, the 443rd Contracting Squadron was inactivated and the 97th Contracting Squadron stood up and became part of the 97th Logistics Group.

In July 1993, all units on base again changed command, this time to the Air Education and Training Command.

In August 2002, 97th Logistics Group deactivated and the squadron moved to the 97th Mission Support Group.

In June 2014, the Squadron redesignated as the 97th Contracting Flight and remained assigned to the 97th Mission Support Group.

In August 2021, the Wing CC redesignated the 97th Contracting Flight to the 97th Contracting Squadron.

The squadron, comprised 35 Mission-Focused Business Leaders, serves as the key business leader to the Wing Commander and staff for acquisitions and contracting. Additionally, the Squadron manages and oversees the small business program, the quality assurance program, and the Government Purchase Card Program for the base. Total annual contracting obligations is about $31 million, with a service and construction contract portfolio of $139M.

Base Support Flight
This flight provides for the acquisition of supplies and equipment for Base support requirements to include the Base Telecommunications Service, IT equipment, Medical service contract support, and other training, maintenance, and mission support requirements. It negotiations and administers all non-infrastructure service contracts for a $36M portfolio.
Infrastructure Flight
This flight provides for the acquisition of supplies, equipment, and a service infrastructure requirements to include, Grounds Maintenance, Custodial Services, and Integrated Solid Waste Management. The total services infrastructure portfolio is valued at $24M.
Construction Flight

This flight negotiates architect-engineer design contracts as well as purchases and administers construction contracts for alterations, maintenance, and repair of real property. This flight utilizes the Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineer Requirements and Multiple Award Construction Contract for a total contract portfolio value of $79M

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. Historically, the squadron 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, and 2013.

(Current as of October 2021)

97th Logistics Readiness Squadron

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 78 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.  The Fleet Service section supports aircraft latrine and potable water servicing for the C-17, KC-135 and KC-46 aircrafts.  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 26 military and 12 civilian members. Together, they maintain 406 vehicles and equipment worth 80 million dollars. The vehicles and equipment range from General Purpose and Specialized Vehicles, Firetrucks, Forklifts, 60K Loaders, Aircraft Tow Tractors, and Refuelers. In addition to managing the 97 AMW 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 the new KC-46.
(Current as of November 2021)

97th Communications Squadron

The 97th Communications Squadron includes 55 personnel in 11 career fields assigned to the Operations Flight, Plans and Implementation Flight, Special Missions Flight and Commander's Support Staff. The 97 CS is responsible for command, control, communications, and computers (C4) systems, operating and maintaining a $25 million network infrastructure and client support mission.  The squadron enables core services for more than 6,000 users, across the 97th Air Mobility Wing, including one wing staff agency, five groups, 16 squadrons and two tenant units. The squadron develops and implements Information Technology solutions, provides knowledge management, information assurance, and communications security functions in support of the only KC-46 Pegasus, C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot and loadmaster training base in the Air Force.  The squadron’s Mission Defense Team also provides cyber defense of the KC-46 networks and other mission systems on base. In addition, the 97 CS manages an average of $6 million in C4 upgrades each year and ensures land and air-to-ground communications in direct support of 11 missions systems, 10 Program Management Office systems and three mission platform operations.
(Current as of October 2021)

97th Security Forces Squadron

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)

Commander

Col. Tammy Hollister

Senior Enlisted Leader

CMSgt Sue Thompson