Contracting team helps garrison prepare as Hurricane Lane threatened Hawaii

By ACC Public AffairsAugust 30, 2018

Army contracting Soldiers and civilians pitched in to get Army facilities ready for the approach of Hurricane Lane.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Army contracting Soldiers and civilians pitched in to get Army facilities ready for the approach of Hurricane Lane.

The 921st Contracting Battalion directly supported U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii ahead of the stormy weather. The Soldiers assisted in emergency operations, setting up systems for emergency purchasing and getting ready to support disaster recovery efforts.

Col. Patrick J. Badar, commander of the 413th Contracting Support Brigade, said the brigade synchronized at the Pacific Command level though the Joint Contracting Support Board to track potential requirements received in support of other DOD or governmental agencies.

Col. Chris Beeler, the Army Contracting Command deputy to the commander for OCONUS Operations, said the unit's response demonstrates ACC's flexibility to respond to natural disasters.

"This command has a history of providing rapid contracting assistance to natural disasters," she said. "From contracting support to the earthquake that ravaged Haiti in 2010 to the global response to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2014, support for hurricane recovery in Puerto Rico to today, our Soldiers and civilians are prepared to do whatever it takes to get the job done."

On Aug. 22, the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii began announcing closures. Two days later, on Aug. 24, the Senior Commander, Col. Thomas J. Barrett, implemented restricted movement on all Army installations because of the weather conditions. The all clear was issued Aug. 25 and organizations on the installation began resuming normal hours the next day.