THE 628TH FORCE SUPPORT SQUADRON
The 628th Force Support Squadron enhances the quality-of-life and combat capabilities through diversified services that provide force development, sustainment (food, fitness, and lodging), resource management and organization, manpower and personnel, family readiness, child and youth development, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs across the Air Base and Weapons Station. The squadron deploys worldwide in support of national security military operations and provides support to over 90,000 active duty and their families, retirees, DoD civilians, and reservists.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Delivering combat readiness for Joint Commanders with timely & relevant manpower, personnel, and family services for our warfighters – past, present, and future!
VISION:
To foster a premier and consistent customer service experience through optimized and sustainable Force Support, fueled by ready, creative, and deliberately developed Krakens!
MOTTO:
Official “Anytime, Anywhere!”
Unofficial “Let’s get Kraken!”
LINEAGE:
Constituted 437th Food Service Squadron on 28 July 1950
Activated in the Reserve on 1 August 1950
Ordered to Active Service on 10 August 1950
Relieved from Active Duty and inactivated on 10 June 1952
Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952
Inactivated on 16 November 1957
Consolidated on 10 October 1984 with the 437th Services Squadron, which was constituted and activated on 27 December 1965
Organized on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 1 July 1971
Activated on 1 October 1981
Redesignated: 437th Morales, Welfare, Recreation and Services Squadron on 1 July 1992;
437th Services Squadron on 1 January 1994;
437th Force Support Squadron (437 FSS) on 10 April 2008, post 437th Mission Support Squadron and 437th Services Squadron merger;
628th Force Support Squadron (628 FSS) on 8 January 2010 to present, post Joint Base Charleston realignment
ASSIGNMENTS:
437th Air Base Group: 1 August 1950 - 10 June 1952; 15 June 1952 - 16 November 1957;
Military Air Transport Service: 27 December 1965 - 8 January 1966;
437th Air Base (later, 437th Combat Support; 437th Support; 437th Mission Support) Group: 8 January 1966 - 1 July 1971; 1 October 1981 – 7 January 2010
628th Mission Support Group; 8 January 2010 - present
STATIONS:
Chicago-Orchard (later, O'Hare Field-Chicago International) Airport, Illinois: 1-14 August 1950
Shaw AFB, South Carolina: 14 August - 16 October 1950
Brady Field, Japan: 8 November 1950 - 10 June 1952
O'Hare International Airport, Illinois: 15 June 1952 - 16 November 1957
Charleston AFB, South Carolina: 8 January 1966 - 1 July 1971; 1 October 1981 - present
HONORS:
Service Streamers. Korean Service
Campaign Streamers
Southwest Asia:
Defense of Saudi Arabia 1990-1991
Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 1991
DECORATIONS:
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 1 July 1951 - [10 June 1952]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:
11 July 1966 - 10 July 1967
11 July 1967 - 10 June 1968
11 July 1968 - 12 June 1969
13 June 1969 - 12 June 1970
1 July 1972 - 30 June 1973
1 July 1982 - 30 June 1984
1 June 1984 - 30 June 1986
1 July 1988 - 30 June 1989
1 July 1989 - 30 June 1990
21 September - 31 October 1989
1 July 1993 - 30 June 1995
1 July 1995 - 30 June 1997
1 July 1997 - 30 June 1998
1 July 1998 - 30 June 2000
11 September 2001 - 30 June 2003
1 October 2019 - 30 September 2021
1 October 2021 – 30 September 2022 (Valor)
Global War on Terror (GWOT) Service Medal: 2001 – 2003
EMBLEM:
On a disc Argent, an eagle swooping to dexter Brun, detailed of the field, grasping in its talons a torch enflamed bendwise Or, in sinister base a demi-globe Azure, gridlined of the first, all within a narrow border Yellow. Attached above the disc, a yellow scroll edged with a narrow blue border and inscribed “ANYTIME ANYWHERE” in blue letters. Attached below the disc, a yellow scroll edged with a narrow blue border and inscribed “628TH FORCE SUPPORT SQUADRON” in blue letters.
SIGNIFICANCE: Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The torch and the light it provides signifies the support provided from cradle to grave to the force for sustainment, accountability, education, professional development, human resources, morale, welfare, honor guard and casualty assistance. The eagle in flight signifies the strength and diversity of the unit and its ability to respond to the mission at home, in an overseas contingency operation or humanitarian mission. The globe represents the far-reaching effects of the capability and support the unit provides no matter where Airmen serve. The motto, “ANYTIME ANYWHERE,” describes the unit’s ability to deploy in support of any operation at a moment’s notice.
COMMANDERS:
Major Rosemary Norman 1 July 1992 - 23 August 1993
Lieutenant Colonel Susan Renfro 23 August 1993 - 13 July 1995
Lieutenant Colonel Terry Mayer 13 July 1995 - 19 July 1996
Lieutenant Colonel Paul C. Keller, Jr. 20 August 1996 - 1 July 1998
Lieutenant Colonel Brian Blankenship 1 July 1998 - 2 June 2000
Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Alexander 2 June 2000 - 20 March 2002
Major Thomas Egbert 21 March 2002 - 26 June 2002
Lieutenant Colonel Tracy O'Grady-Walsh 27 June 2002 - 17 June 2004
Major John P. Nowak 17 June 2004 - 16 June 2006
Major Evan C. East 16 June 2006 - 12 January 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Richard A. Sheetz 1 February 2007 - 30 June 2009
Major Tara White 30 June 2009 - 21 June 2011
Lieutenant Colonel Danny E. Davis 21 June 2011 - 22 May 2013
Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer S. Judd 22 May 2013 - 29 May 2015
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph K. Thomas, IV 29 May 2015 - 29 June 2017
Lieutenant Colonel William E. Parker, IV 29 June 2017 - 21 June 2019
Lieutenant Colonel Troy L. Lane 21 June 2019 - 24 May 2021
Lieutenant Colonel Cody L. Gravitt 24 May 2021 - 26 June 2023
Lieutenant Colonel Tavares R. Dozier 26 June 2023 - present
CONTACT:
For more information and services, visit our home page: https://www.jbcharleston.com/ and/or JB Charleston FSS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jbcharlestonfss/