Guard wing cashes in on travel card

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bob Oldham
  • 189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Frowns have turned into smiles in the 189th Airlift Wing after it was announced the wing would receive $20,000 for its efforts in successfully managing its travel card program.

Not too long ago, commanders, first sergeants and agency program coordinators were in a fierce battle to prevent delinquent accounts. New management practices combined with card member education has resulted in the windfall. The money comes from the National Guard Bureau via contractor rebates for timely card payments.

"Maj. [Tammy] Culley just informed me that we have received $20,000 for your outstanding performance in making on time government travel card payments," Col. Jim Summers, 189 AW commander, wrote in an e-mail to Airmen. "This is absolutely incredible, and I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you."

Major Culley is the wing's comptroller.

"This absolutely could not have happened without the support of the commanders and the diligent work of the APCs and first sergeants," she said.

With more than 800 travel cards assigned to the wing and geographically separated units, the potential for misuse or abuse is high. But if a card is not activated, it can't be used. So APCs were directed to turn off cards until an Airman was scheduled to travel, preventing potential misuse at home station.

At the same time, APCs, commanders and first sergeants educated unit members about the proper use of the card while away on a temporary duty assignment and the importance of filing a travel voucher as soon as possible after traveling on orders.

The addition of mandatory split disbursement a couple of years ago has also helped pay off cards quicker, resulting in 13 months with a delinquency rate of zero percent. The National Guard Bureau goal is less than 2 percent. The wing has met NGB's goal for two years. Last year, NGB sent the wing $10,000 for going10 months at zero percent delinquency, the major said.

Wing leaders plan to use the additional money to purchase items on an unfunded list that will benefit wing members.