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375th CPTS/CT honored for leadership

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sabrina Foster
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
2007/06/15 --  Each year, the Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board acknowledges citizens who serve their country and change the world through public service. The awards provide an opportunity to pay tribute to the talented men and women in the public sector, who serve the American people with skill and professionalism.
Recently, Lt. Col. Michael Nolette, 375th Comptroller Squadron commander, was recognized as the 2007 Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board Excellence in Government Leadership award winner.
"It was a great honor and a humbling experience to be selected by the Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board for such a prestigious award," said Colonel Nolette. "When my name was called, I was excited and probably a little nervous walking up on the stage to receive the award."
"It was not a surprise that Colonel Nolette won this award," said Col. Tamra Rank, 375th Airlift Wing vice commander. "He does a fantastic job leading his finance team in a very challenging and constrained environment. Colonel Nolette sets a shining example to those around him. He's honest, forthcoming and smart. He cares about those working for him and knows how to get the mission done."
Over the past year, Colonel Nolette commanded a diverse workforce of more than 60 military and civilian assigned to the 375th CPTS. His squadron provided top-notch financial services to more than 12,700 base personnel and supplied superior decision support to the 375th Airlift Wing, 175 geographically separated units, 71 tenant units and three major commands: 18th Air Force, Air Mobility Command, and United States Transportation Command.
Not only did Colonel Nolette oversee this support at home, he also deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Colonel Nolette volunteered to deploy to Iraq as the leader of the 12-person, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula J8 Directorate. He traveled throughout Iraq, leading and managing financial operations for United States Army, Navy, and Iraqi Special Forces.
While deployed, Colonel Nolette was directly responsible for a $136 million total budget that included a $34 million Army Special Forces budget, $20 million Multi-National Corps-Iraq budget, $2 million Commander Emergency Response Program and $250,000 in reward funds. His team provided financial resources that enabled Special to execute 315 separate missions resulting in 157 primary insurgent captures and the detainment of 591 insurgents.
Even though Colonel Nolette is humbled and honored to receive the award, he said he can't take all the credit for this alone.
"My family has been very supportive of my Air Force career, especially during my deployment to Iraq last summer," he said. "As an individual, I was truly humbled and honored to receive this award, however, this award selection is also due to the outstanding teams I was privileged to lead and be a part of over the last year."
"There are many Air Force, Army and Navy personnel that deserve credit for my selection. Their hard work, discipline and mission focus were the primary factors behind my selection for this award. The members of the 375th CPTS and the CJOSTF-AP J8 team provided outstanding financial service and produced incredible results over the past year."