FORCE: supporting the Air Force global mission Published March 3, 2011 By Mater Sgt. Ronald Menges 49th Material Maintenance Support Squadron OL A MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- MacDill Air Force Base is host to 39 mission partners. One of those partners, 49th Material Maintenance Support Squadron/Operating Location A, maintains and postures war readiness material assets, while training Airmen from all major commands. Based out of Holloman AFB, New Mexico, Operating Location Alpha's mission at MacDill includes the responsibility for maintenance, readiness, and deployment of 329 Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment (FORCE) assets valued at $15.6 million. Known as the "Center of Excellence" by the fuels community, the 24 assigned members perform a variety of support functions. Recently, members deployed to assist the Expeditionary forces at six locations with physical layout and setup of the system, aircraft servicing modes, and equipment communications/electrical troubleshooting. "Conducting Operational Safety Inspection Checks to ensure serviceable equipment is postured for OPLAN support is our main purpose," states Tech. Sgt. Aaron Thomas, 49TH MMSS/OL-A, NCOIC FORCE Operations. This team utilizes seven MacDill facilities to house and operate support equipment and is charged with custodial duties of fuel support items including Mission Readiness Support Packages. Additionally, the OL-A conducts classroom and hands-on training to fuels specialist from all major commands ensuring member's readiness prior to deployments. "FORCE was designed to replace technology from the 1960s adding increased fuel receipt and delivery capabilities to match the ops tempo our troops face in today's Air Force," stated Oscar Neverson, 49TH MMSS/OL-A director. "FORCE is a mobile modern day fuels hydrant system and is the bread and butter for day to day fuels operations at deployed locations."