US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa officials activated the 764th Specialized Contracting Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, according to a base release. “Today, the 764th is the first specialized contracting squadron to officially stand up,” said Col. Mario Troncoso, Air Force Installation Contracting Agency director, who presided over the Oct. 2 ceremony. The squadron’s mission is “to provide acquisition support to all of USAFE-AFAFRICA for purchases worth more than $2 million or any amount that supports multiple locations,” states the Oct. 2 release. The squadron took over the functions previously executed by the 700th Contracting Squadron’s specialized contracting flight. Under an Air Force-wide realignment, specialized contracting flights are transitioning to squadrons and will fall under AFICA, states the release. The agency is headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. (Ramstein report by SSgt. Ryan Crane)
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.