COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- When mission sustainment is on the line, the pen is often mightier than the sword, and the 14th Contracting Squadron (14 CONS) is living proof of this concept.
14 CONS navigates complex Department of Defense purchasing regulations every day to ensure the 14th Flying Training Wing has the resources it needs to train the next generation of Air Force aviators. Everything from crucial infrastructure upgrades to supporting the arrival of the T-7A Red Hawk training aircraft must pass through the hands of the 14th Contracting squadron before coming to fruition.
“Contracting is a career field with a litany of rules and regulations. That makes saying ‘no’ the easy answer,” says Maj. Craig Miles, 14 CONS commander. “Here at 14 CONS, we don’t take the easy way out. We find a way to say yes, navigating the regulations to find the solutions needed to enable every sortie. A major part of ensuring we remain on the leading edge of pilot production is positioning the wing to receive and operate the T-7A Red Hawk. 14 CONS is proud to be a part of that evolution for Columbus AFB.”
In fiscal year 2024, the squadron’s efforts culminated in the award of six contracts valued at $13.8 million total. These contracts cover a series of key projects focused on the establishment of physical infrastructures designed to support the T-7A Red Hawk fleet such as crucial hangar renovations and the modernization of existing facilities. Three of these projects (valued at $1.5 million) have already been completed while an additional three major renovations (valued at $12.3 million) are currently underway. Each project is carefully curated to ensure the base is ready to seamlessly integrate the new aircraft into its training program.
According to Miles, the squadron’s success is driven by deliberate teamwork across the 14th Flying Training Wing. 14 CONS partners with Civil Engineering, the technical experts on all projects, collaborates closely with M1, the driving force for the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance necessary to meet needs without mission stoppages, and works alongside the 14th Comptroller Squadron to obligate all T-7 funds within the required timeframe.
The squadron’s commitment to “Mission First, People Always” is evident in its daily operations. Miles says “’Mission First’ in contracting means that we are unwavering in our duty as stewards of taxpayer dollars to deliver capability to the warfighter.” As such, the squadron ensures that the government receives the best value possible on every project, especially those related to the T-7A due to their direct impact on the future of pilot training.
“’People Always’ means investing in the training and development of our airmen and civilians so they can handle the complex acquisitions necessary for their jobs,” Miles continues. “We expect great things from our people, and, in turn, they can trust that they will always have leadership support for their own goals and ambitions.”
“Contracting is where budget dollars are transformed into combat power,” Miles says. “The 14th Contracting Squadron stands ready to ensure that the base is equipped to continue its legacy of producing world class pilots.”