#IAMIMSC: Josh Biggers
Duty title and unit: Project Manager, AFIMSC Detachment 2, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
Primary duty responsibilities: I am a military construction manager, working with bases, agents like the Army Corps of Engineers, and weapons system managers to help plan, design and construct MILCON projects. While I manage several locations, Kadena Air Base in Japan is the predominant place I support today. I also get to support other places in Japan, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.
I am also a contracting officer representative for advisory, planning, design and construction contracts. Those are projects supported by the 772nd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron at JBSA-Lackland, Texas. I help create contracts and monitor their performance at about eight locations, mostly in Japan. It takes a lot of attention to detail and keeps me on my toes.
What’s the best part of your job?
I get to help enable the warfighter by getting things done. Integrating and empowering partners to support our country is rewarding, and knowing how to do that across the spectrum of our capabilities is a powerful tool. I like planning ahead and being responsive to customers.
Why are you and your job important to the Air Force and AFMC?
I help with cradle-to-grave management of projects to ensure they happen, and work to enable any group I engage to fulfill their role in whatever process, whether it is trying to hire contractor support, plan a difficult task, design a facility or get it built in time to support the mission when needed. Responsive consensus building with mission partners is a key facet of my job.
What’s a recent project that gave you a great sense of accomplishment?
The 33rd Rescue Squadron at Kadena does search and rescue missions with HH-60 helicopters. They have been in an old hangar for decades. It’s literally falling apart, especially when the typhoons come through. I got to work with Pacific Air Forces, AFIMSC, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Air Combat Command, the installation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help design a new 9-bay hangar with a state-of-the-art flight simulator. There are lots of construction projects at Kadena, but I believe this is its first regular MILCON project since the 1990s, so it’s a big deal. I was happy to do my part, using the process to help demonstrate the project was ready to get funded by Congress, and show that we knew what we wanted, when we wanted it and how much it cost.
Any claims to fame?
I sit with people that do all of that, so I get notoriety by association. I do have a lot of silly acronyms after my name.
Do you follow any mantra?
I love the Air Force, and am thankful for my job.
Which AFIMSC value do you identify with the most and why?
Responsiveness. Timing is important in our Air Force battle rhythm, and being responsive is a key facet to our customer’s success.