St. Louis ACO earns appreciation of 16,000 after deploying

Courtesy Photo | Air Force Maj. Damian Benigno stands with his wife Chiyo as more than 16,000 Anaheim Mighty Ducks fans honor him as “the service member of the game” with a standing ovation during a game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Honda Center Jan. 6. Benigno has deployed seven times in 12 years.  

ST. LOUIS, MO, UNITED STATES

07.06.2016

Story by Thomas Perry 

Defense Contract Management Agency

Fresh off his most recent deployment, Air Force Maj. Damian Benigno stood with his wife as more than 16,000 Anaheim Mighty Ducks fans honored him as “the service member of the game” with a standing ovation during a game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Honda Center Jan. 6.

“Being recognized at this event was amazing and humbling. My sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Max King, live in (Orange County), and they got a kick out of attending the recognition ceremony,” said Benigno, who recently returned to his role as an administrative contracting officer with Defense Contract Management Agency Boeing St. Louis. “They, and especially my wife, Chiyo, have been very supportive of the military and my Air Force career.”

The support of family and friends can be the most important piece of gear a service member maintains when deployed. It has become even more vital during the last 15 years as multiple deployments became the norm. Benigno has deployed seven times in 12 years, five of them in direct support of DCMA Afghanistan, Iraq and Middle East operations.

According to Navy Cmdr. James Wong, DCMA Boeing St. Louis executive officer, Benigno played a vital role during his most recent deployment in support of Operation Resolute Support as lead administrative contracting officer, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

“He led a team of 14 military and civilian contracting officers in managing seven critical life support, sustainment and logistics service contracts valued at $1.9 billion covering 12 forward operating bases and 42,000 people including U.S. service members, coalition forces, civilians and contractor personnel.”

Benigno also led an efficiency working group regarding a contractor’s facilities management at three operational locations that resulted in $6 million in government cost avoidance.

“Maj. Benigno was absolutely indispensable to the success of our mission in Afghanistan,” said Army Lt. Col. Freddy Adams, one of DCMA Afghanistan’s commanders while Benigno was deployed. “He was a delight to work with and displayed a level of competency and commitment seen in only the very best officers. I would fight to have this talented leader on my team again.”

Although it is not always easy to think green in Afghanistan, Benigno advanced the Army Materiel Command’s Energy Savings Initiative to promote efforts in efficiency, renewables and net-zero energy endeavors.

“He’s made a difference by coordinating the installation of energy monitoring and efficiency devices in existing high-use infrastructures at two sites,” Wong said. “By reducing the military’s logistics footprint in the combat operating theater, he helped minimize supply line exposure in the contingency environment, while reducing personnel risk and saving lives.”

As his initial return date approached, Benigno was requested by his supporting command in country for a 90-day extension due to his “proven experience and outstanding performance in the execution of duties. This extension afforded operational continuity to better support the transition of contingency contracting authority from DCMA Afghanistan to the Army Expeditionary Contracting Command-Afghanistan,” said Wong.

“DCMA and Air Force deployments are usually six to seven months long, but with the upcoming transition from DCMA-A to the Army, it made sense to stay,” Benigno explained. “We had great leadership under DCMA Afghanistan commanders, Col. Anthony Wizner and Adams, and deputy director, Mr. Kent Schvaneveldt. They laid the foundation for success. I was honored that they personally selected me as their lead administrative contracting officer.”

Agency leadership and the quality of its acquisition professionals have been a driving force throughout Benigno’s career. He credits his team, Wizner, Schvaneveldt, Adams and James Olsen, Adams’ deputy, with making his most recent deployment a memorable one.

“I served the majority of my Air Force career with DCMA,” Benigno said. “It’s been a privilege to serve and provide support to the warfighter both on the home front and while forward deployed. The recognition moments we’ve had were great, and I’m humbled and grateful for everyone’s thoughtfulness. I hope every forward deployed DCMA civilian and military team member has the same opportunity to receive such a memorable and storybook homecoming.”

• Date Taken: 07.06.2016
• Date Posted: 07.06.2016 09:28
• Story ID: 203183
• Location: ST. LOUIS, MO, US