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    434th ARW/FM Wins AFRC Annual Awards

    434th ARW/FM Wins AFRC Annual Awards

    Photo By Senior Airman Elise Faurote | U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 434th Air Refueling Wing Financial Management...... read more read more

    INDIANA, UNITED STATES

    02.22.2026

    Story by Senior Airman Elise Faurote 

    434th Air Refueling Wing

    GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, IND. – The hard work of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Financial Management unit is paying off. Members of the team won four Air Force Reserve Command FM annual awards in recognition of their work to enhance financial readiness. Members of the Grissom team won the following awards:

    Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers Comptroller Organization of the Year

    • 434th ARW FM

    Maj. Gen. Frank R. Faykes Financial Management and Comptroller of the Year

    • Mr. Chris Vanderdoes, 434th ARW FM comptroller

    Chief Master Sgt. Larry P. Gonzales Senior Enlisted Leader of the Year

    • Senior Master Sgt. Jillian Novak-Stinson, the 434th ARW FM Senior Enlisted Leader.

    Financial Management SNCO of the Year

    • Master Sgt. Monica Johnson, 434th ARW FM financial operations flight chief.

    “Finance finances the fight," said Novak-Stinson. "Financial stability keeps our troops focused on the fight. I hope my Airmen understand how much they do to affect the mission by keeping people mentally ready.”

    Last year, the financial management team ensured timely disbursements of over 17,000 pay transactions, directly enhancing the financial readiness of the Hoosier Wing to ensure war-fighter support and achieve AFRC readiness objectives.

    “It’s our job to support the people who’ve raised their hand and may have to leave at a moment’s notice,” said Vanderdoes. “I think these awards just show that we put the professionalism in place to make sure that our members get paid as quickly as possible.”

    As the comptroller, Vanderdoes oversees all the financial management aspects of the base budget. He and his team of 28 Airmen and civilians handle military and travel pay for the whole wing. Whether it’s managing budgets, funding air refueling operations, or preparing deployers, the financial management team is committed to ensuring peace of mind, allowing Airmen to focus on their mission.

    “I can’t overstate how welcoming the culture is in this office,” said Senior Airman Timothy Warren, 434th ARW financial technician. “Everyone is incredibly hard-working and I’m happy the team got acknowledged with these awards.”

    Through their diligence and precision, the Hoosier Wing’s FM team continues to ensure Airmen are ready to respond quickly and effectively in high-threat environments worldwide.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.22.2026
    Date Posted: 02.26.2026 07:02
    Story ID: 558544
    Location: INDIANA, US

    Web Views: 18
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN