507th ARW awarded 9th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • Published
  • By By Lt. Col. Richard Curry
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  The 507th Air Refueling Wing has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its accomplishments from August 2010 to September 2011.

The announcement made by Air Force officials represents the ninth time the 507th ARW has received this honor.

The AFOUA was created in 1954. It is presented to any command in the U.S. Air Force (including Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard) which performs exceptionally meritorious service, accomplishes specific acts of outstanding achievement, excels in combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, or conducts with distinction military operations involving conflict with, or exposure to, a hostile action by any opposing foreign force.

The nomination package cited the wing for accomplishing its mission with a maximum degree of wartime capability. During the rating period wing aircrew and maintenance achieved an impressive 2,980 hours flown, with a stellar safety record, refueling 1,147 receivers with 8.8 million pounds of fuel in support of the United Nations, as well as national objectives with Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, UNIFIED PROTECT and PACIFIC PASSAGE.

The wing provided 191 volunteers for Expeditionary Air Force deployments, including split operations from Al Udeid to Incirlik to Moron Air Bases. Leading Air Force Reserve Command in maintenance, the 507th Maintenance Group achieved a noteworthy decrease in Isochronal Inspection days from fifty-five days to less than twenty four, exceeding Air Force standards, and captured the coveted 4th Air Force Chief Master Sergeant James K. Clouse Award.

Under fire and enemy barrage, aircrew and maintenance members proudly earned the Air Force Association Aircrew of the Year Award for undaunted courage in the theater. Additionally the wing stood up for disaster relief following the devastating tsunami and earthquake which struck mainland Japan. Finally, the wing's 1st Aviation Standards Flight reduced Federal Aviation Administration flying time by fifty percent by their worldwide inspection and certification of navigation aids, including runways in Antarctica, thus ensuring safe, all-weather combat operations.

According to 507th ARW commander Col. Russell Muncy, "The professionalism, knowledge, and technical skills of wing personnel contributed directly to fulfillment of national objectives. Their exceptionally meritorious service included significant deployments supporting worldwide contingency operations, Air Force-wide impacting operations and matters of international significance. I am proud of their accomplishments and the fact they have earned this award."