374th CONS's crucial role in Operation Tomodachi

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christopher Love
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III arrived at Yokota, March 29, carrying a series of pipes, hoses and related equipment that the U.S. Government purchased to help the people of Japan cool the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant.
 
At 2.7 kilometers in length and a weight of over 20,000 pounds, the equipment came as no "small" purchase. Yet, for the 374th Contracting Squadron who procured it--a squadron that U.S. Pacific command dubbed as the lead contracting activity for Operation Tomodachi--the equipment represented only one of a number of assets and services that contracting personnel have obtained in support of the present mission.

Whether through procuring high visibility items like the pumps in question, essential supplies like the fuel used to transport relief supplies, or mundane goods like toilet paper for personnel deployed to Yokota, the 374th CONS touches every aspect of Yokota's role in Operation Tomodachi.

"If you got it, we bought it," said Lt. Col. Michael Hackman, 374th CONS commander. "Contracting is involved, on some level, with nearly anything that happens on any government installation."

The scope of his squadron's mission is considerable during normal operations; yet, since the start of Operation Tomodachi it has grown even greater, expanding to cover Tomodachi-specific assets, while continuing its other duties simultaneously.

"They don't just shut those off," said Mr. Wayne Godfrey, 374th CONS chief of specialized flight. "Our deadlines are still the same."

Despite the added stress, the personnel at the 374th CONS have handled the added responsibility well.

"Every one of my contracting personnel have remained very calm in this situation," Colonel Hackman said. "They've handled everything with absolute professionalism, going above and beyond supporting our required activities."

Major Brian Grana, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps who has been working with 374th CONS as a liaison officer from PACOM, also lauded the squadron's recent efforts, but from an outsider's perspective.

"The most impressive trait 374th CONS demonstrated was continually asking 'How can we help everyone's effort in support of our Japanese allies? How can we do more?'" he said. "That type of teamwork and can-do attitude is what makes me proud to wear the uniform."

One of the 374th CONS's biggest contributions to the mission has been the goods and services it has procured. Another important contribution, however, though less widely known, is the way that they procured them; quickly and with great flexibility.

The complex system of pumps, hoses and generators currently being used to cool the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant originated from a crude concept on a piece of paper and a monetary cap of 6.5 million dollars. It was up to members of 374th CONS to work with a team of engineers and others to find a way to bring that sketch to life.

"The original concept came to us on March 19," Colonel Hackman said. "By March 23 these pumps were arriving, and by March 29 they were actually on the barges and are moving into position.

"In the realm of acquisition, this was a very fast-paced acquisition endeavor. Because of the knowledge of our personnel, we were able to figure out how to streamline things far more than you would in a normal acquisition."

For many people, including a number of contracting personnel themselves, Operation Tomodachi has highlighted--perhaps for the first time--the vital role that contracting officials fill.

"People may not really realize the importance of this squadron during peace time, but I think they realize that now," said Ms. Maki Kodama, 374th CONS team lead for specialized flight. "I realized that when I became involved with this project--how critical our duties are and that they could affect all of Japan and the entire Pacific."