Lt. Col. Scott Schneider assumed command of the 374th Contracting Squadron, from Lt. Col. Mark Wagner during a change of command ceremony at Yokota Air Base, July 16.
Col. Burt Okamoto, 374th Mission Support Group commander, presided over the ceremony, and the event was attended by family members of the incoming and outgoing commanders, members of the 374th CONS, and representatives from across the base.
“The 374th CONS controls 1.3 billion dollars in annual obligations,” said Okamoto. “They are spending five million dollars each workday not only at Yokota AB, but also U.S. installations in Japan: U.S. Army Camp Zama, Army Sagami General Depot, Army Yokohama North Dock and sites on a remote island.”
The 374th CONS provides operational and specialized contracting support to the 374th Airlift Wing, 5th Air Force, U.S. Forces Japan, and U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Space Force installations in Japan. They are the single-source authority on mainland Japan for utilities, telecommunications and transportation including an 18,000-person master labor contract. Also, the 374th CONS provides staff and contingency contracting support to USFJ and U.S. Army Contracting Command Korea.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Wagner reflected on his three years as the commander.
“At the (374th) Contracting Squadron, we buy things. That is easy to say, but hard to do and our mission is wild,” said Wagner. “We are the largest contracting squadron in the Air Force and Space Force. Everything we do is extremely detailed. Every sentence, every word and every number must be right.”
“It is not easy,” Wagner expressed.
Ninety-three members, mostly master labor contractors: Japanese nationals, work for the 374th CONS. Wagner expressed appreciation to how MLCs contribute to missions every day.
“This has been the best three years of my career and it’s because of the people,” Wagner said. “A big reason that the 374th CONS is so amazing is our MLC employees. Everyone makes it better every day. Our military members crush it at home and abroad.”
After receiving the squadron guidon, Schneider gave his first remarks as the new squadron commander.
“Your mission and the impact you have on the joint force not only in Japan but throughout the Indo-Pacific theater, has me excited for the next few years,” Schneider said. “The work you do has a direct impact on the missions of every service component in the department and allows them to set the conditions to ensure the United States and its allies and partners can meet any challenge.”
Date Taken: | 07.16.2024 |
Date Posted: | 07.18.2024 20:02 |
Story ID: | 476481 |
Location: | YOKOTA AIR BASE, JP |
Web Views: | 29 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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