Laughlin’s 47th Contracting Flight was recently commended by the Air Force Installation Contracting Agency for their outstanding work in helping repair and quickly getting the base back to normal operations after a hailstorm.
On Feb. 22, 2016 Laughlin Air Force Base was hit with a devastating hail storm causing more than $6 million of damage to infrastructure alone. Damages ranged from buildings and vehicles to equipment and aircraft, causing a drop in pilot training production.
“I want to give a huge shout out to the outstanding professionals in the 47th Contracting [Flight] for their phenomenal response to this crisis,” said Col. Richard Ward, AFICA Air Education and Training Command director of contracting. “Immediately following the storm, they surged into action to recover the base.”
Despite the wide-spread damages, 100 percent of emergency work was completed within 24 hours due to contracting efforts and Laughlin returned to normal operations in less than two weeks after the hail storm.
“I am very proud of the [flight’s] incredible accomplishments to repair and return Laughlin to normal operations,” said Ward. “They banded together and worked through all issues to meet the demands of the wing.”
Individual Airmen recognized by Col. Ward include: Tech. Sgt. Jason Falkner, Airman 1st Class Christopher Arnold, Maggie Falkner, Robert Williams and Charles Frerich.