QUANTICO, Va. -- Attaining excellence is a challenge – maintaining excellence requires the kind of above and beyond dedication to duty found in the Office of Special Investigations.
A particularly significant stretch of sustained accomplishments by the OSI Office of Procurement Fraud Investigations (PF) has been lauded by the Air Force Decorations Board, a component board of the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council, with its Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, for exceptionally meritorious service for the period Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019.
“PF Team, I’m so very proud of you,” said OSI Commander Brig. Gen. Terry L. Bullard in his congratulatory email Jan. 28, 2022, to the command. “Your hard work, sustained excellence and perseverance elevates the professional stature of OSI and the DAF (Department of the Air Force) on a daily basis. On behalf of the Top 4 and our entire OSI family, congratulations on this significant achievement.”
The litany of accomplishments which helped secure this prestigious Air Force level award ensured PF delivered specialized investigative techniques, upholding the integrity of the Air and Space Force’s acquisition systems by rooting out corruption, protecting resources and preserving warfighter safety and capabilities.
Eighty-seven distinctive PF accomplishments during the two year period were submitted on the Air Force Form 1206 Nomination For Award.
Specific among them included:
Guiding a six-agency investigation which identified 35 suspects and restored $627 million to the government. Their efforts earned an Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service;
Expertly managing the command’s busiest mission with 85 personnel spanning 26 global units, recovering more than $1 billion within six years;
Organizing a seven-agency corruption task force which pursued 25 suspects and recovered $25 million, earning a national-level award for excellence;
Resolving a counterintelligence threat to Information Technology infrastructure. The timely action exposed a critical DoD/NASA vulnerability and neutralized a program threat;
And winning a Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Person bringing recognition to the Air Force and OSI.
The Secretary of the Air Force authorized the AFOEA on Aug. 26, 1969, to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of U.S. Air Force organizations and activities.
It’s awarded to Air Force internal organizations that are entities within larger organizations. They are unique, unnumbered organizations or activities that perform functions normally performed by numbered wings, groups, squadrons, etc.
PF currently has a total of 100 authorizations, also known as the number of billets assigned. It was averaging approximately 98 authorizations during the period of the award. PF typically averages between 85 to 90 personnel assigned at any given time.
“PF field agents and professional staff work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the Air Force acquisition process and ensure the safety of our warfighters,” said Special Agent Paul Wachsmuth, PF Director. “I’m grateful they’re getting the recognition they deserve.”
PF Superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Miller echoed SA Wachsmuth’s sentiments.
“This award is a huge accomplishment for the PF family and a true testament to their hard work and dedication to our mission,” said Chief Miller. “I’m honored to be a member of this amazing team.”