Deployed contracting Airmen takes on big job at Dubai Airshow 2011

Published Nov. 11, 2011
By Master Sgt. Chance Babin
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- When Tech. Sgt. Ian Black was en route to his deployment to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, he got the message that he would be the lead contracting officer for all U.S. Department of Defense personnel working at the Dubai Airshow 2011.

Within a week of his arrival to his deployed location, he forward deployed to Dubai where he hit the ground running.

"My role here at the air show is dealing with any contract that was not pre-positioned," said Black. "For any contract that comes up during the air show, I'm here to make those purchases and act as a liaison with all contracts or vendors, such as working with the hotels to make sure everything is good."

The 380th ECONS is the focal point for all U.S. Air Forces Central Command requirements for the air show. The team helped arrange and contract for vehicles, hotels, fuel and the critical communications infrastructure needed by air show participants and staff.
Working an event such as the Dubai Airshow, the third largest air show in the world, requires a lot of flexibility, Black said.

"You have to be ready for anything," he said. "Our first purchase was to make a gas payment for ground equipment fuel at the airport. We weren't expecting it, but it happened and we went out there and took care of it."

Fortunately, Black has a strong team at the 380th ECONS that had many of the contracts taken care of before his arrival.

"The knowledge and experience of our squadron's members provided the critical link to ensuring that members of the 380th team, AFCENT and the Air Force had the tools they needed to get the job done," said Capt. Ian Coleman, a contracting officer at the 380th ECONS.

The team at the 380th ECONS pre-positioned most of the contracts for hotels, shuttle services and leased vehicles back in August and September.

"The 380th ECONS pulled together to support the Dubai Airshow and strategically sourced requirements to provide the best bang for the buck," said Coleman. "Our customers are our focus and we are glad to be able to come together to support the third largest air show in the world."

For Black, getting into the mix and working this air show is something that makes him glad he is in contracting.

"I love my job," Black said. "I love the thrill and being able to see the big picture of what's going on in the Air Force and seeing what goes into every other aspect of the Air Force."
His teammates at the 380th ECONS are grateful for his experience as well.

"Tech. Sgt. Black's 15 years of experience is critical in his role as business advisor and contracting officer in support of this event," said Coleman. "His ability to satisfy emergency requirements and assist the air show staff allows for unanticipated needs to be satisfied. He is the behind-the-scenes glue that holds the support efforts together."

Black acknowledged the scale of this event and expressed his gratitude for being a part of it.

"Working at an air show of this size is important," said Black. "It's something any contracting officer would want to do.

"It's challenging and requires you to think outside the box," he said. "It's absolutely rewarding to see something on an international scale come to fruition and know you were a small cog in this giant gear."

Black has worked in contracting for almost 15 years. Prior to that he was an F-15 crew chief.

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