97 AMW hosts first pitch day Published April 17, 2024 By Airman 1st Class Jonah G. Bliss 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 97th Contracting Squadron hosted its first ever pitch day event at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, April 15, 2024. The 97th CONS collaborated with the innovation team to address challenges throughout the wing. They did this by sending out an email asking what problems the squadrons were facing. Upon receiving responses, they forwarded them to small businesses for analysis and recommendations on potential solutions. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” said Capt. M. Husein Dharas, 97th CONS services and constructive flights officer in charge, “So we try to award them to the maximum extent practicable.” Some solutions that were pitched included installing geothermal HVAC systems across Altus AFB, and integrating a new time card system for the 97th Medical Group. “Creating innovative solutions to challenges is essential for the Mighty 97th to keep our competitive advantage over our adversaries,” said Col. Jeff Marshall, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander. “Holding an event to allow local companies to pitch their ideas will help find these solutions.”