5th Manpower Requirements Squadron inactivates

Col. Robert Jackson, Sr., commander of the Air Force Manpower Analysis Agency at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, left, along with Steve Davis, right, roll up and sleeve the guidon for the 5th Manpower Requirements Squadron during an inactivation ceremony on June 17. Mr. Davis was an original member of the 5th MRS, first known as the Air Force Maintenance and Supply Management Engineering Team, when it was activated on April 2, 1976. Senior Master Sgt. Stacey Isaac-Pickett, center left, was the guidon bearer of the ceremony in which Lt. Col. Dyann Weatherspoon was relieved of command of the 5th MRS. (Air Force photo by Kelly White/Released)

5th Manpower Requirements Squadron inactivates

Published June 24, 2016
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 5th Manpower Requirements Squadron was inactivated June 17 in a ceremony held at the 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron auditorium.

"As we furl the flags, the Air Force's decision [to inactivate the squadron] is in no way a reflection on the people who have served in the 5th MRS and in no way takes away from the unit's contribution," said Col. Robert Jackson Jr., commander of the Air Force Manpower Analysis Agency.

Lt. Col. Dyann Weatherspoon, 5th MRS commander, thanked Colonel Jackson for his leadership before addressing the men and women of the squadron.

"I've reflected back on the last 24 months with an overwhelming sense of pride over the studies you've thoughtfully produced and completed and the effort you've put into your work," said Colonel Weatherspoon. "You have truly accomplished quite a bit in the last two years."

The colonel said she is most proud of her squadron because of the people she worked with.

"My pride swells the most when I think about the talents and leadership you've demonstrated -- who you are, which is so much more impactful than just what you do," she said. "We've laughed and cried together, competed and collaborated, argued and encouraged one another like a team -- like a family. There is a lot of work to do still. Continue to strive for good and right because the Air Force still needs you and I can't wait to see the amazing things you will accomplish."

Steve Davis, a founding member of the 5th MRS is one of only three people who have served the squadron for its entire duration. Mr. Davis presented the case for the flag to Colonel Jackson.

The 5th MRS was originally constituted as the Air Force Maintenance and Supply Management Engineering Team on April 2, 1976. After being re-designated in 1985 and then inactivated in 1986, the unit was later re-designated at Tinker as the 5th Manpower Requirements Squadron in January 2006.

The 5th MRS was one of five squadrons assigned to the Air Force Manpower Analysis agency located at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph AFB, Texas. Responsible for performing studies on 57 Air Force wide organizations, the 5th MRS impacted approximately 44,000 billets valued at $3.4 billion.

The primary mission of the 5th MRS has been to provide Air Force leaders at all organizational levels the quantitative tools to identify essential manpower required, based on management engineering techniques, for the effective and efficient accomplishment of the Air Force mission.

The 5th MRS inactivation is effective Sept. 1.