Deployed McChord Airman manages NAF budget for Southwest Asia wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Whether it's making sure the community center and other non-appropriated fund facilities have enough petty cash to serve their customers, or making sure the Eagle Cash machines are in working order, Tech. Sgt. Caroline Champagne is busy every day looking after the welfare of deployed Airmen.

Sergeant Champagne, a 15-year Air Force veteran, is the non-appropriated fund, or NAF, custodian for the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron at a non-disclosed base here. She is deployed from Air Mobility Command's 62nd Force Support Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

"Besides maintaining petty cash funds for NAF activities, I also ensure NAF inventories are completed and reported," Sergeant Champagne said. "In doing my job, I make sure a budget is prepared and revised quarterly, or as needed for NAF.

Additionally, the career Airman completes financial statements, reconciles them and forwards them to theater command every month. She also purchases equipment, resale and prizes for NAF facilities.

"I come to work every day knowing my job has a direct impact on the morale and welfare of the deployed servicemembers here," Sergeant Champagne said. "We try to keep folks busy and have on hand some sort of relaxation for the very little down time our deployed warriors receive."

Sergeant Champagne said she doesn't claim any one place as her hometown, however her parents - Rodney and Kwan Stobbe -- and other family now reside in Chula Vista, Calif. "I don't have a home town or state," she said. "My father is retired Army so we lived everywhere."

The 1992 graduate of Seaside High School in Marina, Calif., said she not only enjoys her deployed work, but also serving in the Air Force.

"If I didn't enjoy it, take pride in it and believe in it, I wouldn't have been wearing the uniform for so long," Sergeant Champagne said.

The 380th EFSS is part of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The 380 AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia.