5th CONS top the awards list Published Jan. 23, 2013 By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- This past year proved to be one of great achievements for Team Minot's 5th Contracting Squadron, having earned seven out of 13 categories for the 2012 Air Force Global Strike Command Contracting Award competition. The squadron could not have done it without their strength in teamwork explained Maj. Jeffrey Fisher, 5th CONS commander. "Awards of this magnitude don't happen without the tireless dedication of our teammates," Fisher stated. The squadron's Director of Business Operations, Mr. Dwight Slotto, was also recognized as the AFGSC Air Force Association's Outstanding Civilian of the Year. Although the 42-person squadron ranks as the most inexperienced contracting workforce in the command, he said their dedication to the mission is prevalent in every contract action. Part of the teamwork expands to the contributions of the agencies around the base as well. At the end of the fiscal year, units across the installation enabled the squadron to quickly execute requirements, resulting in more than 200 contracting actions during the month of September alone. It helped bring the needed services and renovations to the base. "It's the people we support that we owe the greatest gratitude for this success," Fisher said. Often times, Fisher explained, many are quick to recognize and see awards as a way to gauge success, but the biggest success for the squadron was in reality the quality of life improvements their contract actions have for the base community. Their work reflects on the success rate of Team Minot and it reinforces Minot's motto of "Only the Best Come North," he added. "Command-wide, it sends the message that if you truly want to be amongst the best in the Air Force; you have to offer to take a trip North, where not even the negative temperatures can slow down Team Minot," Fisher stated. The squadron awards include: 1. AFGSC Small Contracting Unit of the Year 2. AFGSC AFA Outstanding Civilian of the Year - Mr. Dwight Slotto 3. AFGSC Outstanding Contracting Superintendent - Senior Master Sgt. Dwayne Morgan 4. AFGSC Outstanding Contracting Officer (CGO) - 1st Lt. Ivan Pinder-Bey 5. AFGSC Outstanding Contracting Enlisted Member (NCO) - Tech. Sgt. Avalee Hawkins 6. AFGSC Outstanding Contingency Contracting Officer (Enlisted) - Master Sgt. Eric Bishop 7. AFGSC Outstanding Contracting Civilian (GS-11 & Below) - Ms. Nicolette Bickler 8. AFGSC SECAF Outstanding Professionalism in Contracting (Non-Super) - Mr. Wade Vinje The members will go on to compete at the Air Force level.