Liberty Spotlight: Damian Owner Published July 23, 2014 By 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Name and Rank: Damian Owner, Ministry of Defence-E1 Unit: 48th Contracting Squadron Duty Title: Government Purchase Card Coordinator Time in Service: 4 years, 7 months Time at RAF Lakenheath: 4 years 7 months Hometown: Newbury, U.K. Hobbies: Cycling, running, football (soccer) and playing the bass guitar Core Value Portrayed: Excellence In All We Do How does the individual portray that core value? Owner demonstrates Excellence In All We Do as the government purchase card coordinator for the 48th Contracting Squadron. He manages an $18.2 million government purchase card program that covers Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Mildenhall and many geographically separated units. In the first quarter of 2014, he saved both bases more than $38,000. Owner has provided direct and focused support to the development and sustainment of several missions, exercises and squadrons, to include: Blue Flag, Icelandic and Baltic Air Policing, HH-60G Pave Hawk Crash-Recovery, the 56th Rescue Squadron, and nearly 25,000 members. He always strives to do his absolute best whether it's at work or in his personal life. Why did you join the Air Force? I joined the Air Force as a civilian, because it represented a great opportunity for me to advance in my career and to train into a new role. Professionally, it has helped me develop and improve on key skills that I believe will benefit me as I continue to progress. How does your job support the mission of the 48th Fighter Wing? The GPC team supports the mission by facilitating the purchase of items that are required by all squadrons on base. GPC is the simplest method of procurement that is available to the Air Force, so we play an important role in purchasing day-to-day supplies and low-value items. My job is to keep all those purchases across the base within regulations. What drives you as an Airman? I am driven by a desire to provide the best service possible to our customers across both Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Mildenhall. My job is very customer-focused and ultimately, helps the customer make the purchases they need to continue their mission. What skills do you possess that set you apart from other Airmen in your shop? I don't know about skills that set me apart from others, but there are skills that I have that I value and feel are important to performing my role. Patience with customers is one of the most important skills, because, for most of our personnel on the program, the GPC coordinator is an additional duty. So, it's important for me to remain patient in guiding people through the processes and not to expect them to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the program. What has been your favorite place to travel in England/Europe, or where would you like to travel to? My favorite place to travel to has been to the Highlands in Scotland, where I climbed Ben Nevis. It's a beautiful part of the Island, and I would highly encourage anyone based here to visit it while they have the opportunity.