Services, FMWR managers strive for best joint practices Published June 23, 2009 ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Managers from Elmendorf Air Force Base's 3rd Services Squadron and Fort Richardson's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sat down last week to discuss the future of the two organizations as they merge under Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. This was only one of many meetings over the past three years to pave the path toward transitioning the two organizations into one. Managers from the golf courses, clubs, child and youth programs, outdoor recreation, sports and fitness, lodging, community centers, auto arts and crafts, food services, accounting and support services participated in the briefings. Services and FMWR managers have met frequently with their counterparts to work out their best practices, write Standard Operating Procedures and identify potential issues. These were the topics briefed last week. The overall focus and goal in joint basing is to build the right organization, resource it appropriately and put it into operation providing more effective services to our Soldiers, Airmen and their families. Similar planning briefings on different joint issues will continue throughout the next year as the two installations progress to JBER stand up. Ultimately, the two organizations will continue to refine services to make them even better under JBER. Guidance from the Joint Base Planning Committee for the new organization is to rise to the higher standard whenever possible and to ensure no degradation of service to any customer. This will set JBER up as a win-win situation for Air Force and Army patrons. Services and FMWR managers and facility employees will provide a seamless transition for JBER customers. Storefront operations currently on both installations will remain in their existing locations on JBER. No facilities or services will be closed. All current employees from both Services and FMWR will go into the Joint Base Wing and continue to serve the same Air Force and Army customers. Under JBER, the dining facilities and laundry on Fort Richardson will move from the Directorate of Logistics and join the 673rd Joint Base Wing Services/FMWR. Other facilities with no counterpart, including the Aero Club, Equestrian Club, bowling center, and Information, Tickets and Tours, and Fort Richardson skeet range, will remain with 673rd Joint Base Wing Services/FMWR under JBER. The marketing departments on both sides have been working together for several months jointly sending out event information for Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base. To receive this information, send a request to Terry Yeomans at teress.yeomans@richardson.army.mil or Jason Grams at jason.grams@elmendorf.af.mil. (Information provided by the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson enterprise office)