AFMC Command News

AWARD: Acquisition officer earns Air Force honor

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen
  • Air Armament Center Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Very rarely does someone get the chance to build a brand new arsenal from scratch, but in 2005 the commander of the Special Projects Squadron had that opportunity and was recently rewarded for his efforts.

In February Lt. Col. Scott Owens was named the 2005 Air Force Outstanding Military Acquisition Staff Officer for his accomplishments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

For almost seven months he served as the program manager for the Office of Military Cooperation - Afghanistan. In that role he managed the $6 billion Security Assistance Program that helped equip, train, field, sustain and reform the 70,000 member Afghan National Army and Ministry of Defense.

"For an acquisition officer like myself, it was an awesome opportunity," said Colonel Owens, who was serving as the program manager of the Joint Direct Attack Munition when he deployed. "Strangely enough though there are a lot of parallels between the acquisition goals we have in the Air Force and what we strived for in Afghanistan. We were still tracking cost, schedule and performance, but it was just applied to fielding an army, instead of a weapon system."

Colonel Owens also orchestrated a $1.3 billion dollar Supplemental request to accelerate the sustaining institutions of the Afghan National Army forces by nine months. By helping get the ANA troops prepared, he is in essence saving the United States billions of dollars in future troop deployment costs.

"The sooner the Afghan Army can do the job themselves, the sooner we'll be able to come home, and hopefully that should accelerate it," he said. "With the obvious priority on fielding the combat forces, the sustaining institutions that support and supply the combat forces were lagging behind. The supplemental money will help them catch up to the rest of the army."

But he did more while deployed than just provide an arsenal to the newly freed nation, he also helped win their hearts and minds by taking trips into their villages and orphanages.

"That was really a blessing," Colonel Owens said. "When we would go out into their villages it was a mixture of curiosity and anxiety, but once they warmed up to you it was all smiles. But that's why we are there, for those kids."

Colonel Owens also worked on learning the native language, Dari, in his spare time. It wasn't something he had to do, but something he thought would build a stronger coalition.

"I didn't do very well," he said, "but more importantly than mastering the language was the fact that I tried. They really appreciated that, and for some reason it also made them laugh."

Besides the Air Force award, Colonel Owens also earned a Bronze Star for service to his country. He said when he left on his journey that a medal wasn't even on his radar.

"I felt extremely honored and humbled to receive that honor," he said. "My wife was in the Pentagon on 9/11 so I dedicated it to her. She's experienced more combat than I have."