Top AF financial advisor pays visit to Osan

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Air Force's top financial advisor visited to Osan and the 51st Comptroller Squadron Aug. 18-21.

Jamie Morin, assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller, saw living, working and operational environments unique to Korea during an 11-day tour through far eastern Pacific Air Forces bases.

"It's a good opportunity to meet some great people," Morin said. "I've gotten a deep appreciation for the work they do and the dedication to duty on a remote tour."

While eating breakfast with comptroller squadron Airmen and local resource advisors, Morin addressed Air Force-level programs and future plans to improve finance operations.

Staff Sgt. Juan Garcia, 51st CPTS budget analyst, said, "It's good to hear about what's going on in the financial management world."

To help explain his Pentagon job and mission during the breakfast, Morin quoted a D.C.-based strategist.

"Strategy wears a dollar sign," Morin said. "The Secretary (of the Air Force) and Chief of Staff look to me to advise them on budget decisions, out-year planning and understanding the resource tradeoffs."

Overseeing the Air Force's $119 billion allocation from Congress, he touched on the presidential budget-cut proposal and ramifications on the Air Force.

"We've got a lot of important challenges headed our way," the assistant secretary said. "Every year (the budget) gets squeezed more with day-to-day operations taking up more of the overall Air Force budget."

One of the cost-saving suggestions in national headlines is changing the military retirement system.

"There are a lot of ideas out there. Not one has been selected," Morin said. "The fundamental principle is to produce an overall system that treats people properly and fairly."

Before visiting Osan, Morin toured Kunsan. Before leaving the Korean peninsula, the assistant secretary travelled to the Demilitarized Zone with Maj. Michael Tatum, 51st CPTS commander, and local staffers.

Joining Morin on his PACAF orientation were Col. Pat Rose, PACAF's comptroller, Chief Master Sgt. Jesse Stirling, finance career field manager, and Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Tormey, PACAF finance functional manager.

Their itinerary included stops at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Yokota Air Base, Japan; and Andersen AFB, Guam.