Wing wins Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • Published
  • By Eric Brian
  • 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
Members of the 45th Space Wing may proudly wear a new ribbon. The 45th Space Wing won an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service from Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept. 30, 2006.

"During this period, the 45th Space Wing personified devotion to duty by ensuring the world's busiest spaceport executed its mission seamlessly," according to the award citation, from Air Force Space Command.

The wing performed seven launch operations with zero failures and placed more than $2 billion of payload into perfect orbits. The wing captured five Numbered Air Force, 31 unit and individual Air Force Space Command-level awards, and seven Air Force-level awards.

"Additionally, the wing provided support to two Nat-ional Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Shuttle Return-to-Flight missions and provided support to the bed-down of the National Airborne Operations Center in support of the President of the United States," the citation reads.

During the award period, the wing delivered combat capabilities to the warfront via space and manpower, deploying approximately 138 personnel in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"In light of manning shortfalls, the wing proved its capabilities by capturing the 2006 Schriever Trophy for 'Best Spacelift Wing' for the second consecutive, competitive year," the citation states. "The distinctive accomplishments of the members of the 45th Space Wing reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force."

"Receiving the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award demonstrates that the 45th Space Wing is the home of many of our Air Force's finest professionals," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space Wing commander. "Achieving a flawless launch record and capturing the Schriever Trophy, along with all our other great achievements during the year certainly proves we're once again worthy of this honor."

AFOUAs for meritorious service cover a period of not more than two years and not less than one year. Each of the 45th SW's 32 subordinate organizations will share in the award.

The Department of Defense Manned Space Flight Support Office was awarded the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award for meritorious service from Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept. 30, 2006.

All assigned or attached personnel, including reservists and civilians who served with a unit at least one day during the period indicated, are authorized the appropriate ribbon if they directly contributed to the mission and accomplishments of the unit.

For active duty personnel previously assigned to these units during the inclusive dates, present a copy of the AFOEA/AFOUA orders and PCS orders to the servicing Military Personnel Flight for Military Personnel Data System update.

Reservists should obtain a copy of the AFOEA/AFOUA orders and forward to the appropriate activity which maintains their Unit Personnel Record Group for filing and system update.

Servicing Civilian Personnel Flights should provide authorized civilians with the appropriate recognition pin. For civilian personnel previously assigned to these units during the inclusive dates, present a copy of the AFOEA/AFOUA orders and SF 50 to the servicing CPF for filing and system updates.