Finance Office Receives National Award Published Jan. 12, 2009 By Sra Kevin Dean 174th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY -- The 174th Fighter Wing Finance Office here won the Financial Services Office of the Year award for the Air National Guard. This award encompasses the office's support of the Air Expeditionary Force deployments, supporting the conversion from the F-16C to the MQ-9 Reaper, the Unit Compliance Inspection (UCI) score for the last inspection, processing pay transactions and customer support over the last fiscal year. The award ceremony is scheduled for spring 2009 at the annual comptroller's conference. The lead financial services section member, Master Sgt. Anthony C. Olivas, said that last year the section won the budget office of the year award for the Air National Guard and MSgt Melissa E. Forsyth won the quality assurance manager of the year award which is also an Air National Guard competition. Approximately 90 Air National Guard units compete each year for the Air National Guard finance awards. The finance office is also competing for budget and financial awards at the Air Force level against all other major commands. The financial services office award recognizes the sections teamwork and dedication to the mission over the last year. The finance office here is a 13-person section and the office supports the 174th Fighter Wing, Northeast Air Defense Sector, 152nd Air Operations Group, 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, and the newly formed 222nd Command and Control Squadron. The section handles military pay, civilian pay, travel pay accounting and vendor pay. The award recognizes the work involved in supporting over 200 personnel deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and numerous other achievements both on a team and an individual level over the last year. Last year the office was highlighted by having the NCOIC featured in the Air Force Print news and an airman won the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Headquarters non-commissioned officer of the month. The 174th Fighter Wing Comptroller, Lt. Col. Charles Hutson said of the team's achievements, "I cannot be any more proud of our team of financial management professionals. The award really is the culmination of several years of hard work and effort towards a set of deliberate goals." The financial services office here is dedicated to providing timely and dedicated information to members worldwide and excellent customer service. Unit members can contact the customer support line at 315-233-2491.