For some of us here on Columbus Air Force Base, specifically in finance and contracting, Oct. 1 starts the New Year…well at least the new fiscal year.

With the new year, of course, comes new year resolutions, and like many Americans, my new year resolution is to get to the gym more often, and I’d like you to join me. I know what you’re thinking, “our fitness center is way too small for all of us”…well not for long. 

As we closed the financial books on Fiscal Year 2016, your fellow Columbus AFB members at finance and contracting were busy burning the midnight oil for many nights in September. With the hard work came rewards to the tune of $8.6 million for projects and purchases across the wing. 

Nearly $1 million of this funding went directly to a Fitness Center expansion and remodel project. Other projects across the wing included $4.9 million in sun shelters for our aircraft, $365,000 for a facility remodeling project in the 37th and 41st Flying Training Squadrons, $255,000 in fire alarm systems across many base agencies, $205,000 in dorm furnishings for our Airmen, $280,000 for aircraft de-icing equipment, $100,000 in Fire Department and Security Forces safety equipment, and $280,000 in base-wide paving projects. 

All in all, end of year funding was a huge success for the wing, and these new upgrades and purchases will play a huge role in our ability to Produce Pilots, Advance Airmen and Feed the Fight. I look forward to seeing you around the new and improved Columbus AFB, and I especially look forward to seeing you at the new and improved Fitness Center. Happy New Year from finance and contracting.