Tightening Air Force budget forces change in grounds maintenance process Published June 13, 2014 By 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- As with many other non-direct mission programs across the Air Force, a tightening budget has had an effect on the grounds maintenance process here as well as at other installations around the world. In response, the Air Force has updated its ground maintenance standards to reduce overall costs and ensure it meets its requirements for mission essential operations and modernization. "Our mission is to fly, fight and win and in order to do that we've had to make some tough choices in regards to our budget," said Col. Charles Kuhl, 55th Mission Support Group commander. "We'll continue to meet these challenges head on and ensure we provide our nation with the best flying and fighting force in the world." With these updated standards here at Offutt, base personnel may now see taller grass in many areas of the installation than they have in years past. "Most of the non-airfield area portions on base are now considered what we call 'semi-improved grounds,'" said Steve Johnson, 55th Civil Engineer Squadron. "What that means is vegetation can grow up to approximately 10 inches, and possibly beyond, before mowing is required." While the 55th CES is still working hard to ensure the base looks its best, their top priority is to closely monitor and maintain the airfield to ensure safe flying operations. "This involves mowing as well as pesticide and herbicide applications to discourage feeding and nesting of birds on the airfield," Johnson said. Funding for grounds maintenance is now only about forty percent of what the 55th CES has had in recent years. However, the unit still has a contract mowing service and they carefully monitor their performance. "We understand that at times the grass may be taller than what we'd like, but we'd ask that everyone understand our process and priorities," said Don Wheeler, 55th CES. "We want to be good stewards and ensure the reducing amount of infrastructure money is invested wisely," Wheeler does not encourage units to voluntarily bring in equipment to cut grass around their facilities as this may impact the grounds contractor's schedule for manpower and type of equipment. However, he would like to remind base personnel that they are responsible for the maintenance of shrubs, hedges and flower beds or planters around their facilities. "We appreciate the fact that units want to make their areas look sharp, but they should not mow their own grass as this is the contractor's responsibility," he said. "Units can greatly improve the appearance around their facilities and parking lots by walking their grounds regularly to look for trash and to pick up leaves and branches as needed." The most urgent need is for units need to remove weeds from their areas, including planter boxes since this service had to be cut from the grounds maintenance contract due to the budget cuts. Weed killer is available from the 55th CES and can be applied as needed. The changes in the grounds maintenance standards are just another piece of how the 55th Wing and the Air Force in general are continuing to meet their mission requirements despite a smaller budget. "We know it's a change compared to the level-of-service everyone has grown accustomed to," Kuhl said, "but we'll continue to do the best we can with our constrained resources and we're thankful for everyone's openness as we work through these lean times."