18th CONS celebrates 20 years

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 18th Contracting Squadron recently marked an extraordinary achievement by celebrating their 20th anniversary on island.

Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello, the deputy assistant secretary for contracting, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C., recently visited overseas contracting squadrons to recognize the great work that is often done in small communities with even smaller dollars.

"I think it's fabulous," said Masiello. "To be able to celebrate a special anniversary and at the same time bring the Air Force message of encouragement and appreciation is worth every moment of my time and is a privilege."

She is responsible for all aspects of contracting relating to the acquisition of weapon systems, logistics, operational and contingency support for the Air Force.

"When you sit back and think about what the 20 years really reflects, 20 years is about the time that the Air Force has been engaged in conflict," she said. "From [Operation DESERT STORM] to now, is 20 years of conflict. The 18th CONS has been operating under that type of environment for 20 years. They don't know anything different. They have been involved with deployments, they've been involved in activities and they have been involved in defending the broader war."

In conjunction with the anniversary, the second annual Okinawa First Vendor Showcase was held.

The event is for Okinawan vendors to showcase locally-made products to military members who are Government Purchase Cardholders, unit resource advisors and Airmen in management positions who attended.

"[We're] building relationships here in the Okinawan community, and doing it well, and making it better each and every year."

Before she left Masiello had one more thing to add.

"Happy anniversary to the 18th CONS! I'm looking forward to seeing greater things from you."