July 05.pmd - 440th Airlift Wing

PEOPLE440th Maintenance Squadron Reservistearns Richard I. Bong Memorial Awardby Maj. Ann Peru Knabe440 th Maintenance Squadron reservist SeniorMaster Sgt. Bonnie Freudinger has earned the2005 Bong Award for “exceptional leadership andcommunity involvement” during the past year.An assistant flight chief, Sergeant Freudingerworks in the wing’s lead planning cell. Since flyingsquadron and maintenance group activations in2003, she has played a critical role in helpingplan the wing’s rotations in support of OperationIraqi Freedom.Sergeant Freudinger did most of her work atthe base, but also deployed in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom. While stationed at oneof the deployed desert locations, she supervised90 people from eight different Reserve, activeduty and Guard units.“This was a difficult task, and Bonnie wasexceptional,” said Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) LeroyFrahm, the Maintenance Squadron’s former firstsergeant. “She molded these diverse group ofpeople into a cohesive team, overcomingprocedural differences and other obstacles.”The result was a win-win situation for all,resulting in 3,038 sorties during a 90-day period.In her award nomination, the commander citedSergeant Freudinger’s quick-thinking andingenuity on the flightline as key variables inkeeping the planes flying round the clock.Aircraft maintenance is not the only area thatbenefited from Sergeant Freudinger’s skills andtalents. She continues to update and maintain aWeb site for rotating reservists, providing themwith up to date, accurate information throughout their deployment.She also trains deploying reservists in air baseground defense, ensuring security and safety ofhundreds of troops.Sergeant Freudinger also serves on the wing’sHuman Resources Development Councils, speaksabout Air Force careers at local schools, andprovides outreach at special events like theExperimental Aircraft Association annualgathering in Oshkosh.As a civilian Sergeant Freudinger works at theMedical College of Wisconsin as a biomedicalengineer, specializing in physiology.The Bong Award is given to one member ofeach branch of service in Wisconsin. The awardwas created in memory Maj Richard Bong, anative of Poplar, Wis., who was the top scoringAmerican fighter ace in the Pacific during WorldWar II.photo by Maj. Ann Peru KnabeSenior Master Sgt. Bonnie Freudinger is arecipient of the 2005 Richard I. Bong MemorialAward.Deployed reservists need to be “money smart”by Senior Airman Shaun Emery332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public AffairsBALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) — Whiledeployed to a combat zone, Airmen receive manyentitlements. They receive combat zone taxexclusion, $225 hostile fire pay per month, $3.50per diem and for those with families, $250 familyseparation allowance per month. Airmen who livein dormitories at their home station also receivebasic allowance for housing.All totaled, these entitlements can add up tothousands of dollars over the span of adeployment rotation. Airmen with deployedfinance offices are here to help with financialquestions, but every Airman is responsible forkeeping up to date with their bills, said Maj.William McGraw, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wingfinance chief.“It’s important that every person check hisor her leave and earnings statement each payperiod,” Major McGraw said. “If there is aproblem, the finance office will do everything itcan to solve it, whether it’s calling a home stationfinance office or the member’s first sergeant.”The ramifications of missing a mistake couldbecome very serious if a deployed Airman isgetting paid too much or not enough, MajorMcGraw said.“If you’re getting too much in your check andfinance finds the mistake, the money will beimmediately taken out,” Major McGraw said.“On the flip side, if there is not as much moneyas someone planned, they may write a check andwon’t have the funds to cover it. If you have awife and children at home, they may not have themoney to buy groceries. If you start worryingabout that, you won’t be able to focus on themission at hand.”Along with checking to make sure there are nomistakes in their military pay, deployed Airmenalso have the opportunity to participate in theuniformed services savings deposit plan.This plan allows Airmen to deposit up to$10,000 and receive 10 percent annual intereston their investment. The money must bewithdrawn 90 days after the end of theirdeployment. The finance office can assist Airmenwith setting up an account.“Most regular savings accounts offer interestrates of 1 to 2 percent,”Major McGraw said. “If you are keeping yourmoney in a checking account, you’re not makinganything.”One way for Airmen to stay proactive in theirfinances is by filling out their accrual vouchers assoon as possible. Many Airmen use theirgovernment travel card to cover expenses enteringthe area of responsibility, and the accrual voucherwill transfer the necessary funds to their travelcard, Major McGraw said.“The balance needs to be paid,” he said. “Eventhough (Airmen are) deployed, they’re stillresponsible for paying that bill. If a person goesfour months and doesn’t pay it off, (he or she)could face serious repercussions.”The Flying Badger July 2005 Page 9