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Finance Soldiers support Operation United Assistance

Written by Sgt. Daniel Wyatt
16th Sustainment Brigade

United States Africa CommandMonrovia, Liberia – U.S. Army 1st. Sgt. Kristopher Fowler conducted his final equipment checks before his departure to Liberia on October 10th. Fowler’s mission was to provide financial management support to Operation United Assistance, the humanitarian effort against the spread of the Ebola virus.

As one of two financial management support units in the entire U.S. Army to have a U.S. Treasury account, the 106th Financial Management Support Unit of the 16th Sustainment Brigade, is the only tactical finance support unit with expeditionary capabilities in the European and African theaters of operation.

U.S. Army 1st. Sgt. Kristopher Fowler conducted his final equipment checks before his departure to Liberia on Oct. 10. Fowler’s mission was to provide financial management support to Operation United Assistance, the humanitarian effort against the spread of the Ebola virus. (Sgt. Daniel Wyatt/U.S. Army)
U.S. Army 1st. Sgt. Kristopher Fowler conducted his final equipment checks before his departure to Liberia on Oct. 10. Fowler’s mission was to provide financial management support to Operation United Assistance, the humanitarian effort against the spread of the Ebola virus. (Sgt. Daniel Wyatt/U.S. Army)

Recently, the 106th FMSU also spearheaded a commercial vendor service support capability to prepare, audit and process all vouchers for supplies, services and equipment procured by the U.S. Army in contingency operations in Europe and Africa.

Immediately after touching ground, 106th FMSU Soldiers began operations to provide physical security for U.S. Government funds and establish internal controls, audit readiness procedures, currency procurement processes and procedures capable of enduring support. As the finance office was established, the team started training and funding paying agents and disbursing payments for commercial vendor services.

Pfc. Khatiwada Khatiwada from the 106th Financial Management Support Unit pays a local vendor in order to fund upcoming construction projects that will take place in support of Operation United Assistance. The 106th FMSU spearheaded a commercial vendor service support capability to prepare, audit and process all vouchers for supplies, services and equipment, procured by the U.S. Army in contingency operations in Europe and Africa. (Capt. Andres Leon/U.S. Army)
Pfc. Khatiwada Khatiwada from the 106th Financial Management Support Unit pays a local vendor in order to fund upcoming construction projects that will take place in support of Operation United Assistance. (Capt. Andres Leon/U.S. Army)

The 106th FMSU team consisted of personnel from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Africa, various U.S. Government agencies and worldwide banking institutions.

To date, the Financial Management Support Team supporting OUA in West Africa has disbursed more than $3.18 million in vendor payments and paying agents support missions. These financial operations have allowed USAFRICOM, the Defense Logistic Agency and the 101st Airborne to provide humanitarian assistance efforts to contain the spread of the Ebola virus, as part of the international assistance effort supporting the governments of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Sgt. Willy Cheruiyot, a native of Kenya and member of the finance team for OUA said, “I enjoy being part of this noble opportunity to help a friendly nation in need and to know this is a rare opportunity to serve.” Cheruiyot added. “To assist the Liberians in fighting the Ebola virus is something I will definitely be proud of for the rest of my life.”

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