COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 14th Comptroller Squadron (CPTS) at Columbus Air Force Base is redefining what it means to deliver strategic financial support, having secured $23.1 million to fuel a major transformation in pilot training infrastructure. Their financial expertise and foresight are enabling Columbus AFB to play a pivotal role in the Air Force’s modernization efforts.
Rather than just processing dollars and cents, the 14 CPTS is actively shaping the future of airpower. Their ability to align funding strategies with mission priorities has made Columbus AFB a standout among the five bases selected for the T-7A Red Hawk beddown.
“Smart financial stewardship is the foundation of readiness,” said Maj. Joseph Suwabe, 14th CPTS commander. “Our team’s ability to secure and align funding with operational requirements is critical to delivering the infrastructure, technology, and support our pilots need to succeed.”
The $23.1 million investment, coordinated by the squadron, will support the infrastructure needed to house and sustain the new training systems. But for the 14 CPTS, this effort wasn’t just about responding to a requirement, it was about proactively enabling innovation, ensuring every dollar invested yields maximum mission impact.
Senior Master Sgt. Luis “DV” De Vazquez, 14 CPTS senior enlisted leader, emphasized the role of agile financial planning in keeping the Air Force mission ready.
“This isn’t just about funding construction, it’s about enabling capability,” said De Vazquez. “We’re helping transform how the Air Force prepares pilots -- fiscally, logistically, and operationally.”
Through deliberate budgeting, strategic forecasting, and innovative problem-solving, the 14 CPTS continues to elevate the standard for what financial management can achieve. Their efforts not only support the introduction of the T-7A but also create long-term cost savings through simulation-based training and modernized facilities.
“Our Airmen are more than financial managers, they’re mission enablers,” said Suwabe. “We’re not just balancing books; we’re building the future of airpower.”
As the Air Force continues to modernize pilot training across multiple bases, Columbus AFB’s Comptroller Squadron stands out for delivering results that directly enhance readiness, drive innovation, and shape the force of tomorrow.