Shaw units use FASCAP, receive money for new equipment Published Oct. 26, 2009 By Staff Sgt. John Gordinier 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- If a unit has a vacant funded manpower position, the Fast Capital Investment Fund Program can provide money to the unit if they can give up the vacant position for a year or more. This alternative to funds can assist an organization with new equipment that can enhance productivity in a work process or procedure. For example, the 20th Maintenance Operations Squadron here gave up a lieutenant position that had been vacant for 18 months and they received $118,000 to fund an ultra-sonic parts washing system to clean aircraft parts for the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. "The 20th EMS performs approximately 58 gun inspections every year," said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Boyce, 20th EMS. "The new system significantly reduces time spent cleaning contaminants from aircraft parts, resulting in increased aircraft availability." The 20th Force Support Squadron took advantage of Presidential Budget Decision 720 arbitrary reductions and Personal Services Delivery reductions, which eliminates billets due to program reductions. The squadron received $213,000 for two projects. The first project purchased $117,000 in computers, printers, monitors, digital senders, shredders and furniture for the manpower and personnel flight. The second project allocated $96,000 to replace the carpet in the 20th FSS, mission support and 20th Fighter Wing areas in Building 1118. "Giving up your manpower billets isn't the only route to receive FASCAP dollars," said Ester Bullock, 20th FSS. "Perhaps you're spending significant organization and maintenance dollars on a process you can improve on with tangible monetary savings without giving up manpower. Maybe you require specialized equipment that you are renting and have a continuing need for the foreseeable future. Have you considered purchasing that equipment?" Air Combat Command disbursed more than $4.6 million in FASCAP funds in fiscal year 2009 and have $4 million available for FY 2010, Bullock added. "The situation of no/low funds and high equipment needs are fairly common in today's Air Force," said Gerald Singleton, 20th FSS manpower office chief. "Unfortunately, many accept this as a fact of life. The Air Force has productivity-enhancing capital investment programs to fund projects having a direct relationship on productivity. Criteria differ for each program as well as the submission time frame." For more information on the FASCAP, contact Ms. Bullock at the 20th FSS manpower office at 895-1085.