falcon feeder

Airman 1st Class Zach Bowden, the Falcon Feeder shift leader with the 35th Force Support Squadron, poses in front of the Falcon Feeder at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 29, 2016. Bowden currently works at the Falcon Feeder located on the flightline, but will be moving to the Potter Fitness Center. Bowden said he loves working in FSS becuase it allows him to meet people and provide them with a good meal when they need it the most. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

falcon feeder

Airman 1st Class Zach Bowden, the Falcon Feeder shift leader with the 35th Force Support Squadron, talks with A1C Dillon Poole, an avionics technician with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 29, 2016. Bowden constantly asks customers for feedback throughout the day on the food and how he can make things better for them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase)

FSS: People first

Published Oct. 11, 2016
By Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The diverse capabilities of the 35th Force Support Squadron revolve around taking care of Team Misawa.

The military, civilian personnel and Japanese nationals operating these facilities do everything they can to support Airmen. FSS mission success equals taking care of the team.

“FSS has so much responsibility in taking care of the installation’s Airmen and their families,” said Lt. Col. Sidney Squires, the 35th FSS commander. “We are gatekeepers to a variety of programs that play an important role in the lives of everyone on base. We constantly encourage our FSS Airmen to be involved as much as possible with not only what they do, but to participate and promote other FSS activities that our Squadron does for the installation.”

These experts provide a variety of services as physical fitness assessments, providing new ID cards and helping families get settled upon arrival to their next assignment.

“My focus is on people,” said Squires. “We exist to assist through all stages of an Airman’s career, from promotion testing, to caring for their family, to providing them orders to depart. At the end of the day, if we take care of people, they will take care of the mission.”

FSS Airmen play a critical role in operating more than 30 facilities throughout the installation including two dining facilities, two fitness centers, the Misawa Inn, and the Military Personnel Section.

“I love doing what I do because I get to make a positive impact on so many people,” said Airman 1st Class Zach Bowden, a 35th FSS falcon feeder shift leader. “I not only get to serve people, but I also get to experience it from the outside in. Sometimes I'm stressed out and being able to get food at the Grissom Dining Facility or going to work out in the fitness center really helps.”