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AFSOC Financial Management Directorate wins six times

  • Published
  • By Deborah Dunn
  • AFSOC Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Air Force Special Operations Command's Financial Management (FM) Directorate took the top U. S. Special Operations Command FM organization award for a record sixth year in a row in 2008.

AFSOC financial managers world-wide are on a winning streak. In seven years of competition, AFSOC financial managers at the headquarters and unit level have won 60 of 89 possible USSOCOM awards. AFSOC dominated this year's competition by winning 10 out of the 14 possible awards.

"Our financial managers are clearly focused on the special operations mission and work hard every day to get the funding needed for our crucial contribution to the war on terror," said Lt. Gen. Donald L. Wurster, AFSOC commander.

"My organization stood up in 1990 with 30 authorizations," said Bill Rone, director of financial management and comptroller. "Nineteen years later, after taking ownership of Hurlburt Field plus huge mission growth in unmanned aerial vehicles; light/medium intra-theater aircraft; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance-processing exploitation dissemination; then expanding to a second special operations base at Cannon Air Force Base, we are at 31. My staff is incredibly effective and focused."

AFSOC FM constantly adjusts and adapts to keep up with the dynamics of special operations needs. Without commitment and professionalism the recognition would not have been possible. 

"Bottom-line...my folks excel at securing funds to keep Air Commandos fully engaged in the war on terror and keep AFSOC base services and facilities in first-class shape for Air Commandos and their families. We truly care for the mission and the Air Commando family. Recognition is great, but doing a good job and getting a 'thumbs up' or appreciation from those we serve is the real reward," said Mr. Rone. 

Accuracy is critical in the financial world, a fact that is not lost on AFSOC's financial managers. 

"Financial details are often moving targets as requirements change and costs are impacted by external factors. The Chief of Staff, United States Air Force challenged all airmen to conduct operations with precision and accuracy...and to be prepared to be held accountable for what we do," said Mr. Rone. "I believe we do this well."

Their strategy for achieving success is a clear mission focus: hard work, progressive education/training and having fun, he said.

"To succeed, an organization must constantly learn and improve. We hire talented people and challenge them with progressive training and assignments. I expect my military and civilians to lean forward and pursue advanced degrees, professional military education and test-based professional certifications," said Mr. Rone.

According to the top financial manager, more than 75 percent of AFSOC analysts hold master's degrees and 75 percent have completed at least one level of PME. 

"It is a privilege to lead AFSOC's financial managers supporting America's Air Commandos. The talented and committed FM force makes my job very easy," said Mr. Rone.

USSOCOM 2008 Below Component awards: 

Outstanding Comptroller
Lt. Col. Randolph B. Toris, 27 SOCPTS/CC, Cannon AFB, N.M.

Outstanding Financial Management Organization:
1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Outstanding Financial Management Team;
Budget & Accounting Integration Team,
1 SOCPTS/FMA3, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Outstanding Financial Management - Officer:
Capt . Neil J. Harris, 1 SOCPTS/FMA, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Outstanding Financial Management - Enlisted:
Tech. Sgt. David G. Lund - assigned to 19 SOS/DOI at the time of award,
currently assigned to the 4 SOS/DOFE, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 

Outstanding Financial Management - Civilian:
Ms. Sharon K. Winnicki, 27 SOCPTS/FMA , Cannon AFB, N.M.

USSOCOM 2008 Component awards:

Outstanding Financial Management Organization:
HQ AFSOC/FM, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Outstanding Financial Management - Enlisted:
Tech Sgt. Linda A. Taylor, HQ AFSOC/FMAS, Hurburt Field, Fla. 

Outstanding Author: Officer:
Capt. William A. Sullivan, HQ AFOSC/FMAO, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Outstanding Contributions in Automation and Technology:
Execution Automation AFSOC Financial Initiative, HQ AFSOC/FMJ, Hurlburt Field, Fla.