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Colorado Reserve airlift wing earns AF Outstanding Unit Award

  • Published
  • By Ann Skarban
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing was recently awarded the 2011 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its exceptional performance from September of 2009 through September of 2011. The 302nd AW is one of only two Air Force Reserve C-130 units to receive the award and one of only ten Air Force Reserve organizations to receive this honor during this time period.

The airlift wing was recognized for its accomplishments and extreme versatility during this time period with missions ranging from airlift and aerial delivery support for Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Pakistani flood relief, Haitian earthquake aid as well as aeromedical evacuation missions, counterdrug interdiction and aerial fire fighting missions.

"I am extremely proud of the members of the 302nd Airlift Wing. Their ability to answer our nation's call and handle every mission they've been given with a high degree of professionalism and skill has been second to none. Their hard work and dedication to service make them most definitely worthy of this award," said Col. Jay Pittman, commander of the 302nd AW.

In addition to the extremely high mission operations tempo the wing was recognized as an Air Force benchmark for Total Force Integration with the association of the 52nd Airlift Squadron, an active duty C-130 flying squadron that operates with the Reserve wing's personnel and aircraft. The association resulted in a 99.9 percent aircrew training completion standard for the wing.

Along with operational achievements, the 302d Maintenance Group led the way with unsurpassed aircraft maintenance excellence achieving an 83.5 percent mission capable rate for the unit's C-130s, the highest rate in the Air Force Reserve Command during that timeframe. The maintenance group was also lauded for saving over $117,000 in 2011 for leading the command in propeller valve housing repairs and for reaching perfection with three of the wing's C-130s by having absolutely no discrepancies on the 17-year-old airframes.

The wing's mission support group was lauded for an exceptional 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron deployment in Kirkuk, Iraq where the reservists vastly improved the base's infrastructure.

The wing's logistics readiness squadron was named the best in the Air Force Reserve Command in 2009 and the aerial port squadron was recognized for exceptional support of load and recovery of 915,000 pounds for airdrop and accomplishing hundreds of heavy, container delivery, simulated airdrop training bundle and combat offloads.

The wing's communications flight led the command with its employment of the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability deploying for both real-world support for modular airborne fire fighting missions and major emergency preparedness exercises.

The 302nd Security Forces Squadron was recognized for expert aircraft security during Operation Coronet Oak, the preparation of deploying Air Force members and training over 3,000 wing personnel during this time period with zero mishaps and a 100 percent pass rate.

"When you look at the long list of accomplishments and the variety of the missions the members of this Reserve wing have supported, as a part-time force, it is simply amazing. I am proud of each and every member of this wing and I am especially grateful to their families and civilian employers whose support is critical to our success," added Pittman.

The wing has a consistent history of excellence receiving the AFOUA in 1990-1991, 1998-1999, 2001-2002, 2004-2006, 2006-2008 and most recently in 2009-2011.

Air Force Reservists currently serving with the 302nd Airlift Wing during the time period for this award are authorized to wear the AFOUA ribbon or device. Any former members will need to contact their servicing Military Personnel Section to get the ribbon updated in their record.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1954. The award is presented as a ribbon to any command of the U.S. Air Force (including Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard) which performs exceptionally meritorious service, accomplishes specific acts of outstanding achievement or excels in combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States.

The 302nd Airlift Wing, Colorado's only Air Force Reserve flying unit, is the largest tenant organization at Peterson Air Force Base. Approximately 1,300 Reserve Airmen and 200 Active Duty Airmen are assigned to the wing. The wing also employs approximately 225 civilians including roughly 200 Air Reserve Technicians, or ARTs who hold dual civilian and reserve positions. The wing is one of nine C-130 Air Force Reserve units with an airdrop and airlift mission located throughout the nation. The wing is assigned 12 C-130H3 Hercules aircraft, which are flown by the wing's 731st and 52nd Airlift Squadrons.