Finance office earns AETC honors Published Feb. 11, 2009 By Airman 1st Class David Salanitri Keesler News editor KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS -- The 81st Comptroller Squadron is the Air Force Special Acts and Services Award winner for 2008. In 2008, the 81st CPTS had many obstacles to overcome, according to Maj. Bob Paleo, 81st CPTS commander. "During Hurricane Gustav, our squadron members worked the travel cash advance line while others were evacuating," Major Paleo said. "After the storm passed, they returned to work immediately, long before most evacuees returned, to prepare for the influx of customers who would soon file travel vouchers totaling $2.7 million in entitlements, working more than 20 days straight to get the job done." The 81st CPTS won similar awards in the past in response to Hurricane Katrina challenges, but things were expected to happen a lot quicker this time around, according to Major Paleo. "After Katrina, our financial response efforts took more than a year to complete most of the cases. The financial effort this time was accomplished with half the number of people in only three weeks. "This is vindication for all the hard work that went into the recovery effort," the major remarked. "The people in my squadron pushed themselves hard to take care of the people and the mission without complaint. It's truly gratifying to be a member of the 81st Comptroller Squadron."