Sisson sees 14th FTW in action

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles Dickens
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The Director of Logistics, Installations and Mission Support at the Headquarters of Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas visited Columbus Air Force Base Sept. 24 and 25.

Barbara Sisson, a member of the Senior Executive Service, saw Team BLAZE and how it operates for the first time and identified which base infrastructures are in most need of remodeling and modernizing.

"Some people think that every Air Force base should look exactly the same; I don't really agree with that," said Sisson. "I like the fact that Columbus has a certain look and feel to it that's uniquely 'Columbus' to honor its heritage. I think that's a good thing."

Though the architecture throughout Columbus is unique, some of the buildings are in need of remodeling. According to Sisson, because of the poor economy and shrinking budgets, the most important part of modernizing infrastructures is trying to balance truly mission-essential and people-essential projects.

"Over the last year we've developed a model by which we grade the infrastructure across AETC and rate it according to the level of risk to either the mission or people," said Sisson. "We then crank it into a formula which tells us all of the deficiencies across the 13 different bases and try to prioritize which projects have the highest risk to mission and to people. Where those two things intersect, those projects tend to go to the top of the heap when it comes to funding because we don't have nearly enough money to do everything we'd like to do."

According to Sisson, while it is important to upgrade essential infrastructure to ensure it is properly able to assist in completing the mission, side-projects need to take a backseat; it is important to remember where the project funding originates.

"I wish we could do more, but you have to think that every time we spend a dollar, that's one more taxpayer's dollar that's being spent, which means one more person that has to pay another dollar in taxes," said Sisson. "We have to be conscious of the cost of what we're doing and how we can get the most utility out of our facilities with the least amount of money."

Sisson talked about the most mission-essential and people-essential infrastructures on Columbus AFB, the Runway Supervisory Units and the fitness center. These buildings have been included in the 14th Civil Engineering Squadron's extended project plan.

"The engineers have developed a long-range plan, a base master plan, that looks out to the year 2030 and exhibits some of the things they would like to do," said Sisson. "It's taking advantage of the infrastructure that is already in place that's useable and has a plan for tearing down some of the older buildings that would cost more to renovate than to replace."

One way to help get the money for the future projects on Columbus AFB is by winning Air Force or AETC-level energy awards. The 14th Flying Training Wing has won two AETC-level awards for reduction in energy usage thus far with hopes of receiving more, though Air Force-level awards are unlikely.

"The Air Force gives awards to the bases that do the best job with energy efficiency and conservation, but compared to other parts of the country our energy costs are relatively low," said Sisson. "Energy projects are ranked on a return-on-investment and because our energy costs are relatively low in this part of the country, as opposed to more populated areas, we don't compete well for those energy-focused funds."

As if receiving awards for reduction in energy usage was not enough of a reason to turn off extra lights and computer monitors, Sisson said there is another large reason to reduce energy use.

"Typically we pay our energy bills with operation and maintenance money," said Sisson. "Every dollar we save on an energy bill can directly be put back into the base's operation."

The operation at Columbus AFB is integral with other pilot training bases to produce the U.S. Air Force pilots that roam the skies. The mission is the central focus for anyone assigned to the 14th FTW.

"It was nice to see the commitment and professionalism of the people, regardless of whether they were government civilians, contractors or active duty," said Sisson. "It was nice to see how everyone focused on the mission here; singular focus on training pilots."