Finance works into wee hours for $1.4 million Published Oct. 26, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie 460th Space Wing Public Affairs Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. -- While most of Team Buckley was snug in their beds Sept. 30, the comptroller, contracting and civil engineer squadrons were wide awake, ringing in the "New Year" by purchasing $1.45 million of equipment and services for Buckley Air Force Base. This isn't the only money these squadrons were able to acquire through advanced planning. Through Air Force Space Command, Buckley received and spent more than $6 million not originally allocated for Buckley throughout the year. The funds were used to purchase everything from building improvements to an antenna upgrade. They also purchased several quality of life improvements, including $70 thousand in fitness equipment, television equipment upgrade for the dormitories and a permanent bathroom for the track. This was all possible because of these squadrons advanced planning and prioritization. "We were postured and well ahead of our peers," said Maj. Bill Hunter, 460th Comptroller Squadron commander. "We were 100 percent spent Sept. 23 and ready to take on more money." The preparation for this began in the second quarter of the fiscal year. According to Major Hunter, when stimulus money first became available, it "raised flags that this was not a normal year." "To meet the relatively short acquisition deadlines of this legislation, the 460th Mission Support Group Commander, Col. Vince Jefferson, quickly developed a task force type methodology that ensured a clear direction to everyone involved on each and every project," said Maj. Paul Schaum, 460th Contracting Squadron commander. Once the stimulus money had been spent, everyone recognized how well the process worked and continued to work funds in this manner. Because of this, Buckley was able to receive more than a million dollars, cut several contracts and spend the money within an hour on the night of Sept. 30. Because of everyone's efforts, Buckley was one of the few bases that received fallout money, according to Major Hunter.