81 CONS wins 'Outstanding Contracting Unit'

Published April 18, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler's 81st Contracting Squadron won the Air Force Outstanding Contracting Unit Award in the small unit category April 9.

"We strive for the catch-phrase, 'That Must Be 81 CONS,'" said Lt. Col. Jonathan Wright, 81st CONS commander. "If we deliver awesome contracting support to the point that a customer notices we've made a difference for his or her unit and says 'That [difference] Must Be 81 CONS', then we have scored. Also, if you see an Airman provide the best possible representation of the Air Force and wonder what unit he or she is from, we strive for the answer 'That Must Be 81 CONS.'"

In 2011, the 81st CONS saved the Air Force millions of dollars through innovation and resource management. They crafted a new method of evaluating the contract oversight for 57 service contracts, developed training on performance-price tradeoffs and have several pending best practices, four of which have already been approved.

"Our folks are encouraged to ask 'Why?' By asking a "why" question, one of two things will result: either education from a justifiable answer, or change," Wright said. "Both outcomes to a "why" question are great results. With a squadron full of open-minded, motivated, and energetic professionals, there is no limit to the good that will result from asking "why" on a whole range of issues such as processes that we use to support customers, policies that exist, and changes that we may apply to improve effectiveness and efficiency."

In fiscal year 2011, 23 percent of the squadron personnel won an award at the group, wing or AETC levels. Throughout the past year, the squadron sent 2 civilians to Squadron Officer School. Also the squadron averaged 90.1 percent on the first level of their career development courses.

"I am genuinely appreciative that the awesome efforts of the men and women of 81 CONS were recognized by the Air Staff," Wright said. "Ever since my first month, back in June 2010, I sensed a degree of teamwork and camaraderie that is so real, you can almost touch it. I see this teamwork extend outside the squadron to how our squadron members interact with and support our customer and higher headquarters."