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It’s Mission Monday! Meet Melissa Hayhurst, a contracting officer in the Air Force Installation Contracting Center.
She and her team purchase repairs and inspections for fuel tanks and related systems on time and within budget to ensure they are in good working condition.
“Making sure Airmen have the fuel they need to complete their mission is the definition of readiness,” Hayhurst said. “I find ways to expedite that readiness through the creation of strategic contracting vehicles and by sharing the knowledge I’ve gained with anyone who asks. “
We asked Hayhurst, a Roy, Utah, native, to tell us more about herself and the work she does for DAF.
Why did you join civil service?
Civil service runs in my blood. My dad was an Air Force budget analyst turned project manager for over 30 years. From the early days of “bring your daughter to work” through my 11 years of service, I have loved the Air Force! So, when the opportunity for the Copper Cap Internship Program presented itself, it was an easy decision to throw my hat in the ring.
What do you love about your job?
I love site visits and climbing around our fuels infrastructure. It is fascinating to see how we move millions of gallons of fuel around to support our missions. I also love working with our industry partners to better understand common business practices and finding ways to solve long-term issues to complex problems.
When it comes to your job, what keeps you motivated?
Working with other motivated and passionate people. I genuinely feel like I get to go to work every day with my friends.
Why are you and your team important to the Air Force/Space Force enterprise and your customers?
I heard this great industry quote last month from a retiring co-worker who said, “Without fuel, pilots are pedestrians.” My responsibility is to write the contracts that ensure fuel tanks and systems are mission ready to hold that fuel.
Describe a project/event you and your team worked on recently that gave you a great sense of accomplishment:
I am wrapping up a major source selection that will expedite ordering of fuel infrastructure repairs and maintenance for the next 10 years. It’s been four years in the making!
Is there anything else you’d like to add which might help people understand the importance of what you do for the Department of the Air Force?
There are a lot of moving parts in the government. My dad called it a “big ship” and big ships are hard to steer and harder to stop. Ultimately, my job is to make sure all the moving parts are working together and to talk to each mission-focused business leader. Each of us makes a difference every day when we communicate openly and respectfully with others. With everyone working together, we will be an unstoppable force for good.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.25.2025 09:13 |
| Story ID: | 491376 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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