72nd CONS inactivates, merges with ALC directorate

Published July 9, 2010
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- June 29 commemorated an end and a beginning. The 72nd Contracting Squadron deactivated and became the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Operational Contracting Division. The unit is aligned with the OC-ALC Contracting Directorate.

Held in the Tinker Club ballroom, approximately 100 people attended the ceremony that also praised Lt. Col. Richard Ward, contracting squadron commander, for his efforts and rewarded him with the Meritorious Service Medal - second oak leaf cluster.

"This marks the next evolutionary step here at Tinker," said Col. Herbert Wesselman, 72nd Mission Support Group commander and presiding officer. "Today's ceremony doesn't change the mission; all it does is change the organizational alignment."

Introduced six years ago, the contracting squadron has been overseen by two leaders. Lt. Col. Robert Bruce led the group first and was succeeded by Colonel Ward in 2007. During the squadron's tenure, more than 13,000 contracts valued at $1.4 billion were executed.

"The 72nd Contracting team has literally touched everybody's lives here and enabled them to accomplish their mission in one way, shape or form," Colonel Wesselman said. "Not only did the team support all of our mission partners on Tinker, but it did so in a manner reflecting the Air Force core values."

While under the leadership of Colonel Ward, the squadron executed and managed more than 7,700 construction, service and supply contracts, worth approximately $2.7 billion. Additionally, Colonel Ward orchestrated deployments for 11 contracting officers in five countries and scored an "excellent rating" during the 2009 Air Force Materiel Command's Operational Readiness Inspection.

"I would like to thank a big and important group to me whose hard work and dedication directly resulted in the success of the squadron - the professional men and women of the 72nd Contracting Squadron," Colonel Ward said. "I love all you guys. I've had such a great time here. I will miss you a great deal; you are a wonderful group. You've made my command rewarding and fun to come to work."

Colonel Ward said while the squadron will report to a new director, Col. Scott Kiser, OC-ALC/PK director, the reorganization will be transparent to local contracting customers. Personnel will work from the same location in Bldg. 1 and service the same contracts and organizations.

The new division will further be divided into four branches. They are PKO: Operational Contracting; PKOA: Operational Contracting A, which is base support; PKOB: Operational Contracting B, which is construction; and, PKOP: Plans and Programs.

The 72nd CONS inactivation ceremony is just one of two that is expected in the next 30 days. The 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing is expected to deactivate, realigning its personnel into the Aerospace Sustainment Directorate.