35th CONS closes out FY22

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William Rodriguez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

As the fiscal year comes to an end, Airmen at the 35th Contracting Squadron (CONS) are continuously working to ensure the units at Misawa Air Base have everything they need to continue the mission.

The 35th CONS Airmen are responsible for the acquisition and administration of base construction projects, architectural and engineering contracts, and even jobs in some special cases.

“The fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 - Sept. 30,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Timothy Wilhelm, 35th CONS commander. “Congress gives us a budget every year, and our job is to ensure this budget is spent efficiently.”

To ensure mission success, the 35th CONS must first have a successful fiscal year closeout.

“We are communicating with every unit here on base,” said Wilhelm. “Our priority is getting those contracts completed before the end of the fiscal year. We are also prepping for any of that money that comes down at the last minute, so we can then put them towards these requirements that are not currently funded.”

Fully utilizing the budget does not just help the base but the economy surrounding the base as well.

“Via contracting, we’re employing the local community and also buying local products off base which helps the economy,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Derek Crader, 35th CONS senior enlisted leader. “We currently have a $25 million construction contract for the hospital, and now they have to hire local laborers, carpenters, etc., which will infuse their economy with funding.”

The 35th Contracting Squadron is working hard to ensure they execute their mission and is currently on track for a successful closeout.

“In contracting, we use money as a weapon system,” says Wilhelm. “This year, so far, we’ve spent $70 million, and we have a couple million left to strategically spend to have that manpower to keep the base running.”

“We are everywhere,” Wilhelm said. “Everything you see inside the office such as monitors, notebooks, pens, and computers has gone through us. The U.S. military does not operate without contracts.”