RAF MILDENHALL, England -- A squadron commander and a civilian, both with the 100th Air Refueling Wing here, were recently selected as Air Force-level award winners.

Lt. Col. Stephen Hoffman, 100th Comptroller Squadron, was selected as the 2007 Air Force Financial Management and Comptroller of the Year, while Suzanne Novell, a British national who also works with the 100th CPTS, was selected as the Financial Services Civilian of the Year (GS-10 and Below).

The two awards are just the latest in a round of successes for the squadron. During the wing's last Unit Compliance Inspection, the squadron also garnered an "excellent" rating.

Both agreed that winning the awards would not have been possible without help and support from their squadron.

"It feels very good," Colonel Hoffman said. "It's come after a lot of work, put forth not only from myself, but from the whole squadron -- these awards never reflect one person, they reflect the whole squadron. It goes all the way back to the UCI. We had people work very hard who made me look good. It was very gratifying to see the hard work they did get recognized."

The news also caught Ms. Novell off guard.

"It was a pleasant surprise," she said. "I think the award is a direct reflection of not only my accomplishments my but colleagues' within the last year."

The two agreed the award was just the result of tenacity and good old fashioned hard work - they had no idea that such a distinction might be the fruit of all their labors.

"I feel very lucky," Colonel Hoffman said. "I think this has been a great assignment for me, it's been three years. I appreciate the members of the comptroller squadron, not only for helping me win this award, but for everything they do to help the wing accomplish its mission."

"I didn't expect it; it was a please surprise," Mrs. Norvell said. To make it as your squadron and USAFE civilian of the year is a huge accomplishment, but to make it Air Force wide is just icing on the cake."