Company Grade Officer earns Air Force award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Solomon Cook
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A Tyndall Airman recently earned the 2013 Air Force Financial Management Officer of the Year Award.

"A lot of it is about a team effort," said Capt. Michelle Kim, 325th Fighter Wing chief financial analyst. "I wouldn't be where I am today without the guys I work with each day, not only in the squadron, but across the base."

Among her many accomplishments were migrating $108 million from Air Education and Training Command training to Air Combat Command Combat Air Forces operations, she also championed F-22 Raptors Dissimilar Air Combat Training amid budget reduction.

"We are so proud of her accomplishment," said Maj. Timothy Fast, 325th Comptroller Squadron commander. "Kim is a valued member of the comptroller team and the wing. Her expertise helped us navigate through some challenging financial times such as Sequestration, government shutdown and more. With many more financial challenges ahead, we are fortunate to have her here."

Kim has been in the Air Force for more than 13 years.

"My goals for joining the Air Force were to get my education and travel the world," she said. "I wanted to be a part of something bigger."

Her father was in the Army, so the military lifestyle and the sense of a family atmosphere was nothing new.

Kim enlisted after graduating high school, then went on to complete her Bachelors' degree and become an officer.

"Being prior enlisted it helps me remember where I came from," she added.

Kim will be traveling to American Society of Military Comptrollers National Professional Development Institute in Seattle May 28 to receive her award.