‘Happy New Year’ — fiscal year that is

Published Oct. 13, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Todd Wivell
43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For most of us, the calendar year starts Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31; however, for the members of the 43rd Comptroller and 43rd Contracting Squadrons, their years are a little different. Their calendar year is called a fiscal year, and it runs from Oct. 1 of the current year and ends on Sept. 30 of the following year. This is the time period in which the base receives their funding and obligates it by the last day of the fiscal year.

The men and women of 43rd CONS and 43rd CPTS recently welcomed in their new fiscal year, FY2009, during fiscal year end close-out which ran from early morning Sept. 30 and ended sometime in the early morning of Oct. 1.

"To put the end of year process into context, this effort is a long surge," said Maj. Jonathan Wright, 43rd CONS Commander. "Starting in the first weekend of August, it's a marathon and it affects all of Team Pope - including the Contracting and Comptroller Squadrons, the group and squadron resource advisors, the government-wide purchase card approving officials and cardholders and, not to mention, the family members who support these professionals so they can work 12-hour days and weekends."

More than $21 million has been awarded in new contracts for Pope since July. These contracts include commodities, services and construction projects. One of these projects is a Commemorative Wall at the Air Park. In the center of the rolling hills, a granite wall with the carved words of the enlisted oath will serve as the backdrop for re-enlistment ceremonies and other events that include Pope's legacy.

Funds were also earmarked for a new playground and landscaping for the School Age Program. By spring, many people will take note of a dramatic quality of life improvement dedicated to Airmen's children.

"Ms. Shirley Miyamori, from the 43rd Civil Engineer Squadron, worked very hard on the project's design on her last day of work, which sadly was the same day that she passed away. I am positive many kids will experience much joy as a result of her last contribution to Team Pope," Major Wright said.

Major Wright commended his entire contracting team for their end-of-year heroics. One of his team members, Senior Airman Jenifer Garland, upgraded the security in the dorm areas with the purchase of a new camera system.

"She led a team consisting of the Dorm Manager and technicians from the 43rd Communications Squadron in writing the statement of work and capturing state-of-the-art technology into the contract," he said.

In addition to these purchases, more than $4.4 million was spent on more than 160 requests from unit Government Purchase Card holders. This enabled 29 units to spend on what they needed and exemplifies how end of fiscal year impacts all of Team Pope.

"This fiscal year end close out was different for us in several ways," said Maj. Michael Kwasnoski, 43rd CPTS Commander. "This year, we received our end of year 'game plan' money from Air Mobility Command early. This helped us immensely in getting fiscal year end started earlier and made the strain of the final days of the fiscal year much less.

"Another difference for us is we had a junior budget officer, 1st Lt. Neil Varma, as our lead on this year's fiscal year end close out. This is unique in the fact that at most installations the budget officer has the rank of captain or civilian equivalent and has had plenty of experience in the budget process. Lieutenant Varma had recently taken over the budget officer position and led a fantastic team of dedicated financial analysts in ensuring all went well with this year's process."

Major Wright said this year's process was also different for his squadron as they not only served the 43rd Airlift Wing, but also served customers from the 440th Airlift Wing. "Since they had a different contracting service last year, our contract specialists and their customers had additional coordinations to reach a mutual understanding of their mission and our regulations. Their partnering paid off with key purchases for furniture and individual equipment items," he said.

As fiscal year 2008 closes out and fiscal year 2009 begins, both commanders stated there would be some changes coming down the road.

"As expected with every new fiscal year everyone should expect a tightening of their respective budgets on base operating support items such as temporary duty assignments and supplies," Maj. Kwasnoski said. "I would anticipate AMC will have us take a hard look at existing contracts as well."

In addition, President George W. Bush has already signed the 2009 defense appropriation bill. This means that the budget for fiscal year 2009 has been approved, and Pope can now fund the mission based on their execution plan.

Typically in years past, the Air Force and its bases have had to operate on a continuing resolution authority. The CRA is what allows the bases the opportunity to continue to keep the base going but does not allow us to fully use our budget for that fiscal year as it has not been approved yet. This year no CRA is needed as the budget has already been approved.

As the clock approached midnight Oct. 1, the men and women of both units worked their bottom lines, checking to ensure every penny had been spent. Fiscal year 2008's last purchase was for the Pope Fitness Center's recumbent bicycles. As this last purchase was made, the old fiscal year was out and a new fiscal year had begun.

Year-End Closeout