2nd Lt. Jesse Bjurback discusses the importance of the Eagle Cash Card with Senior Master Michael Windsor Sept. 11 at the Flex Recreation Center in Southwest Asia. Airmen can load Eagle Cash cards from kiosks located around the base. Lieutenant Bjurback is an intelligence specialist from the 36th Intelligence Squadron from Langley Air Force Base Va., and Sergeant Windsor is a deputy dispersing officer for the Combined Air Operations Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)
Col. Robert Swisher signs for his Eagle Cash card Sept. 11 at the Flex Recreation Center in Southwest Asia. Cardholders can use Eagle Cash cards even when local ATMs are down or if the base exchange credit or debit lines are down. Colonel Swisher is the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)
Senior Airman Melaku Abebe fills out an application for an Eagle Cash card Sept. 11 at the Flex Recreation Center in Southwest Asia. Co-sponsored by the Army and the Department of the Treasury, Eagle Cash is a financial management tool to support servicemembers deployed in combat zones and on peacekeeping missions. Airman Melaku is a commander's support staff specialist 386th Expeditionary Services Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)
by Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
9/12/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Deployed servicemembers in Southwest Asia can now access their funds 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a new, automated money management program called Eagle Cash.
Co-sponsored by the Army and the Department of the Treasury, Eagle Cash is a financial management tool to support military members deployed in combat zones and on peacekeeping missions.
The program uses a type of payment card, referred to as a stored value card, along with automated kiosk devices located around the base. Cardholders who are enrolled in the program can access their personal checking or savings accounts by swiping the card in the kiosk machine located at the base exchange, flex recreation center and finance.
"It's like a gift card," said Master Sgt. Catherine Miles, a 386th Air Expeditionary Wing financial manager. "You can put as little or as much money as you want on it and it comes from your checking account."
Once money is loaded or transferred to the stored value card, participants pay for transactions by swiping their card anywhere a credit or debit card is used on base. The amount of the sale is electronically subtracted from the amount of money the individual has loaded on the card.
When the card's balance is low, individuals can go back to self-serve kiosks anytime and recharge the card with more cash, taking this money from their bank or credit union.
"Airmen don't have to carry hard cash with them; this is electronic money," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Windsor, a deputy dispersing officer from the Combined Air Operations Center.
This card also has no load limit, which makes it great for the savings deposit program, Sergeant Windsor said.
The Eagle Cash card is also helping the military save money because it is expensive to transport U.S. currency overseas and costs money to provide security for the currency while in flight, Sergeant Windsor said.
Airmen can transfer their remaining balances back to a checking or savings account before leaving the area of responsibility.
Eagle Cash cards are available at finance offices to servicemembers and contractors whose companies have check-cashing agreements with the military.
