48th CPTS goes ‘mobile’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher S. Sparks
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – --  The 48th Comptroller Squadron Financial Operations Flight started a finance mobility team to provide customer service to various squadrons at RAF Lakenheath.

The Liberty Wing is the first base in U.S. Air Forces in Europe to provide this service to their squadrons.

Since January, the finance mobility team has utilized tablets to access financial systems, offering efficient, on-site financial management services.

“By going out there it keeps folks from having to come to us and saves time for our Airmen,” said Tech. Sgt. Troy M. Rivers, 48th CPTS financial operations flight chief.

When the team visits a squadron, they allot two-hour blocks to provide services such as answering questions about Leave and Earning Statements, the Defense Travel System and other financial management related topics.

Rivers said the team hopes to provide services to everyone on RAF Lakenheath and spread this innovative idea to all the bases in USAFE.

“The finance office processes 340 to 400 DTS vouchers each month for Combat Air Force Operations,” Rivers said. “With this team we really want to condense our customer service and send people out to units so we can help on-the-go.”

The mobile team recently visited the 492nd Fighter Squadron to provide services for members who returned from temporary duty locations.

“We have a very demanding flying program here at RAF Lakenheath,” said Senior Master Sgt. Mia Hunt, 492nd FS superintendent. “So bringing resources and support units to the squadron saves time and effort so we can get back to the flying mission.”

By providing these services, the finance mobility team allows service members to take care of their financial needs on-site, without having to book an appointment.

“We’re bringing the finance experts here,” Hunt said. “They can do it right the first time, get it done and we can continue on with the fight.”

The innovative efforts of the 48th CPTS optimizes customer service and taking care of Airmen.