LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Front Line Warrior: Capt. Javier Farfan
Deployed Unit: Joint Task Service Contracting Command
Duty Title: Assistant Command Judge Advocate
Home Unit: 633rd Air Base Wing Judge Advocate
Hometown: Elkridge, Utah
Time in Service: Active duty Air Force three years, seven months
Describe your deployed duty and the tools you use to accomplish it: I provide advice on contract law questions, claims, contract protests; review solicitations and awards for contracts, ratifications, terminations, etc. I also provide assistance to the forward deployed contracting centers all over Afghanistan. I primarily use regulations, previous experience at prior bases, combat skills training, and good interaction with the contracting officers and the various units.
What do you bring to the fight? As a Judge Advocate working with contracts, I assist in enabling the warfighters by helping to ensure they are supplied and equipped with the resources necessary for their mission. The legal advice/review is instrumental in enforcing out procurement laws and to ensure that the money being spent for resources is done so appropriately.
What are you overall thoughts and opinions about your mission there? It has been a very rewarding deployment. We have been able to assist the coalition forces enabling them to fight, train the Afghan police/army, and enhance the infrastructure of the Afghanistan. In addition, the COIN initiative has allowed us to employ local businesses and develop their workforce and stimulate their economy. Having seen firsthand the benefits that contracting provides to the Afghan people has made this assignment a very rewarding experience.
Supervisor Comments: Captain Farfan is a hard-charging JAG who is a proven mission-enabler for commanders -- both at Joint Base Langley-Eustis and deployed. He is exceptional in being able applying his intelligence, experience and common sense to every challenge to provide the best possible advice and recommendations for our "clients" at JBLE and JTSCC.