Happy new ‘fiscal’ year Published Oct. 4, 2007 By Col. Steven Harrison 436th AW commander DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Happy New Year! Sept. 30 marked the end of fiscal year 2007 for the federal government, and I'm proud to report that the complicated process of zeroing out the financial books at Dover Air Force Base was flawless! I would like to offer my personal thanks to all the leadership, the resource advisors and especially our professionals in the 436th Comptroller Squadron and 436th Contracting Squadron for making a very burdensome process look easy. Their commitment to excellence has a very real impact on every Airman at Dover AFB -- through proactive preparation of documentation, planning and contractual instruments, they ensured that any funds released from higher headquarters at the last hour of the fiscal year could be utilized quickly, effectively and in accordance with established base priorities before our spending authority evaporated. Thanks for the great work! Fiscal year 2007 was a very lean financial year, and every indication is that 2008 will be at least as lean. One obvious area where we can help ourselves is through energy conservation. Prudent use of our energy resources isn't just about saving money; it's also about protecting the environment and improving national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Team Dover has made tremendous strides in cutting back on use of electricity, natural gas and petroleum products, but we can do better. In 2008, I expect to receive funding for only 97 percent of our 2007 energy expenditures. Should we fail to achieve this 3-percent conservation goal, Dover AFB will have to purchase the additionally energy 'out of hide,' meaning it will come directly from funds I believe would be better spent on mission essential supplies and equipment, training and quality of life and workplace enhancements. So please do your part to turn off unneeded lighting, ensure personal computers are powered down according to schedule, and minimize heating and cooling. It all adds up! Speaking of team efforts, congratulations to the 436th Operations Support, Civil Engineer and Communications Squadrons for their incredible performance during last week's Air Mobility Command-directed Air Traffic System Evaluation Program! This periodic inspection measures the effectiveness of our air traffic control and airfield management functions. Once again, Team Dover absolutely dominated the effort earning a nearly-unprecedented 97-percent compliance rating, a number of major command benchmarks and recognition as "Best seen in recent history!" This was the best ATSEP I've seen -- and it translates into a safe operating environment for all of our flight line activities. Great work! As we enter the long weekend, I encourage all those who have the weekend off to find time to relax, recharge and enjoy your well-earned break ... safely! Front-line supervisors: please lay "eyes on" your fellow Airmen, review travel plans and ensure your Airmen have a trusted wingman and that they are approaching their personal lives as maturely as they conduct the mission. You make the difference day in and day out. You are the mentor, the role model, and the example ... and you are performing magnificently. Team excellence at the unit and individual level -- another reason why Team Dover is "America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team!"