JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Air Mobility Command recently announced the winners of the 2014 Air Mobility Command Annual Contracting Awards, and Joint Base Charleston's 628th Contracting Squadron had four individual award winners.

"The 628th CONS competed against nine other AMC bases for seven individual contracting awards and won four," said Lt. Col. Dale Skinner, 628th CONS commander. "That's an incredible achievement not only for these fine individuals, but their accomplishments highlight the joint mission and teamwork at Joint Base Charleston."

Airman 1st Class Alex Cahail: Outstanding Contracting Enlisted Member, Airman Category:
Airman First Class Cahail led the timber harvest and lumber resale contract which led to the clearing of 257 acres for future construction at JB Charleston. The project resulted in $475,000 being returned to the Air Force Forestry Program. Cahail also procured a contract worth $133,000 for night vision goggles, enabling the 437th Airlift Wing's C-17s continuous worldwide mission which is critical to AMC global airlift. He also responded to a fuel spill emergency by expediting $141,000 for hazardous and waste containment, mitigating an environmental threat to the Tri-County area.

Technical Sgt. Tamika Jackson: Outstanding Contracting Enlisted Member, NCO Category:
Technical Sgt. Jackson augmented the squadron's superintendent position. During this time, she oversaw 918 actions and a $63 million contracting portfolio that encompassed all of Joint Base Charleston to include the three wings and 66 mission partners for a total of nearly 91,000 personnel. She also implemented two new Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements contracts worth $90 million. Jackson managed 22 projects with a portfolio worth more than $1.5 million, slashing mission support delays by 50 percent. Lastly, Jackson led the $699,000 Weapon Station's fitness center overhaul which reinforced the building with seismic upgrades and improved safety and quality of life for 50,000 patrons.

1st Lt. Nicholas Barrett: Outstanding Contracting Officer, CGO Category:
1st Lt. Barrett revived the Army Strategic Logistics Activity Charleston's guard post project which secures the Army's $38 million vehicle inventory. Barrett also directed AMC's first fixed X-ray and radar inspection contract, resulting in 71,000 vehicles being inspected with 300 identified hits, strengthening anti-terrorism and force protection measures for Joint Base Charleston. Barrett was also selected to oversee a six-member panel which created the first ever Contracting Commander's Handbook which ensured mission clarity and legal authority.

Robert Melton: Professionalism in Contracting, Supervisor Category
Melton directed a seven-member team overseeing 47 contract actions worth $2 million and managed a $73 million workload, leading the 628th CONS joint mission effort. He also pioneered a $1.4 million, 800 Mhz radio contract, linking the base and local first responders, cutting emergency response times by 50 percent, a  first for the Air Force. Additionally, Melton trained 628th CONS members on the new NETCENTS buying process, slashing procurement time from 30 days, to five on commercial off the shelf items.

"I believe the reason we won these awards was because of the diverse missions we support here," said Skinner. "No other Air Force contracting squadron was buying and/or supporting security forces patrol boats, locomotives, nuclear power training facilities, munitions bunkers, brigs and two world class C-17 wings."

These four individuals will now represent JB Charleston and AMC as they compete against other contracting squadron members from across all major commands for the top Air Force level awards.