CE division moves from behind scenes to AF spotlight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 96th Civil Engineer Group Asset Management Division recently won the Maj. Gen. Robert C. Thompson Award as the Air Force's Outstanding Civil Engineer Resources Flight for its ability to provide support for the entire group, and the Air Force's largest base.

The award honors General Thompson, who served as the Air Force Director of Engineering and Services from 1975 to 1978, and recognizes the resources flight that offers the most outstanding products and services to its customers. Its purpose is to encourage customer support and satisfaction, high quality standards and achievement throughout the flight.

The flight has won the award at Air Force Material Command level for the past six years consecutively, but hasn't won at Air Force-level for 15 years.

"It's a wonderful feeling," said Jane Barnes, 96th Civil Engineer Group asset management division chief. "After being number one at the command level, there is a real sense of pride and relief to compete and win at the Air Force level."

The Asset Management Division supports all of 96th CEG with financial and force management, and information technology services.

"We support the people who provide support for the base," said Mrs. Barnes. "We make sure the guys you see fixing broken pipes or installing air conditioning units have the tools they need to support the mission."

The financial management division, which oversees the budget of the 96th CEG, handled more than $190 million last year. They moved $34.5 million from the stimulus to the operational budget in under 90 days, which trickled into the community via local contracts.

The IT services division manages the computer networks and other technological issues at the group, and migrated 674 computers to the Microsoft Vista operating system ahead of schedule.

Force Management, in charge of manpower, allowed for 21 summer hire positions within the group, a 250 percent increase from the previous year of eight.

"It's about time," said Kat Pierce, 96th CEG chief financial manager. "Our people work hard and have accomplished amazing things not just last year, but every year and we will continue to for years to come."

Ed Asson, 96th CEG chief IT services manager, attributes winning the award to their belief in the team concept.

"The cliché, 'no man's an island,' truly applies here. Our mission cannot be accomplished if everyone were to act on their own. Communication is the key and we can achieve anything as long as we are working as a group," Mr. Asson said.