[Air Force Officer's Widow's Claim for Aviation Retention Bonus]

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service requested a decision on whether a deceased Air Force officer's widow was entitled to his aviation retention bonus. GAO held that the claimant was only entitled to the first year bonus payment, since: (1) Congress specifically provided for such payment in appropriations legislation; and (2) subsequent bonus payments were a condition of the officer's continued service. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.