MEDIA CONTEST: NAF outings will survive ‘07 budget cuts

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ACC MEDIA CONTEST --  In 2007, the Air Force plans to significantly reduce contracts, but when the dust clears, the presence of services sustained by non-appropriated funds could be the silver lining.

Base hot-spots like the bowling alley, club, stables, golf course and the summer Ellsworth Fam Camp will not be affected by the proposed cuts because the facilities operate in a separate budget pool.

"Contracts and NAF services are really like apples and oranges," said Maj. Eliza Knutson, 28th Services Squadron Commander. "Because most services operations are self-sustaining, any cuts that are coming down on the congressional side should not affect our cash flow."

Easter weekend, more than 30 Airmen, spouses and civilians from Ellsworth went to Minneapolis to shop the more than 520 stores in the Mall of America and watch a Major League Baseball showdown between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees. The $90 fee paid for lodging, game tickets and use of two services vehicles.

"For $90, you probably can't even get a hotel room for a night in Minneapolis," said Mrs. Jenny Herron, who works for NAF accounting in the 28th SVS. "That would pay for gas alone."

Mrs. Herron's husband, Staff Sgt. James Herron, a crew chief in 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, accompanied her on the trip. Both he and his wife had been to the Mall of America, but it was his first MLB game. Like most of the Ellsworth crowd, Sergeant Herron rooted for the Yankees and was disappointed with their 6-5 loss to the Twins. AYankee flag still hung in the services bus the whole ride back, however.

The group arrived at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in time to watch batting practice; they had already spent about eight total hours roaming the Mall of America and riding in the amusement park inside. (About 32 Boeing 747s could fit inside the four-story mall).Cheering at a close game and wandering the shopping paradise was well worth the nine-hour one-way drive. The better news: trips like these are unlikely to be involved with discussion of budget cuts, and services is brainstorming similar fall trips to correspond with football season.

One services facility that might be affected by the contract budget woes is the base fitness center, but services personnel are working to minimize impact on the customer.

"For instance, at the linen exchange we have to cut a percentage of the contract, but the customer should not notice," Major Knutson said. "We might occasionally run out of towels at the gym during peak times because now we are washing them ourselves to save money. We are not going to say 'sorry no towels or aerobics or intramural officials'; we will just find a different way to provide them."

At this point, the proposed budget cuts to contracts are exactly that, proposals. Nothing has been officially approved, and courses of action were outlined for projected contract cancellations

"We are coming up with contingency plans, other avenues to provide these services to the base, and when the decision is made, we'll put the plan into action," said Major Knutson.

For operations at the base gym, services might request certified aerobics volunteers or intramural officials, or participants might have to pay for the services rendered. Either way, the product will be there, just with a different delivery.

Customer demand is also an important factor because it helps fund and prioritize services activities.

The Minnesota trip, for instance, paid for itself through NAF and the $90 attendance fee, so services will continue to offer trips so long as servicemembers want to go. Sergeant Herron and his wife said they would certainly try to go on another trip.

"It was a whole lot better than watching it on TV," said Sergeant Herron. "It was also great because we were able to meet a lot of new people."

As rumors and complaints start about what's going to be cut, when and by how much, it's important to remember that some important services won't even approach the chopping block.