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Comptroller Flight Stands Up

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Dan Heaton
  • 127th Wing Public Affairs
The Michigan Air National Guard formally stood up its newest component on 6 Nov, with the activation of the 127th Comptroller Flight at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

The flight, which previously had been functioning as a component of the 127th Wing's headquarters unit, is charged with "Financing the Fight" for the wing.

During a formal ceremony, Lt. Col. Constantine Leon assumed command of the flight, lifting high the flight's new flag. Leon has served as the wing's comptroller for the past 11 years and will continue in that capacity as the commander of the new comptroller flight, which, with 16 military members and 14 civilian employees, is the largest such organization in the Air National Guard. When Leon first became comptroller for the Wing, the local budget was approximately $60 million. The comptroller flight will oversee a budget worth approximately $115 million.

Leon began his military career as an enlisted Soldier in the U.S. Army, before joining the Michigan Air National Guard as an enlisted member in what is now the comptroller flight. For the past 10 years, he has been a member of the ANG Comptroller Advisory Board and served as the chairman of that board for five years. He has also been an instructor for the ANG Comptroller Course.

"Lt. Col. Leon is generally recognized across the Air National Guard as the best in the business," said Brig. Gen. Michael Peplinski, 127th Wing commander.

Leon said that the success of the wing's comptroller flight is a reflection of the loyalty, dedication and skill of the flight's staff.

"It is a wonderful feeling to belong to an organization that values those characteristics," he said.

Leon challenged the flight to "create new standards, higher accomplishments" which will benefit the entire wing.

"No matter where the 127th Wing deploys, the 127th Comptroller Flight will be financing the fight," he said.