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Wing earns outstanding unit award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julia Sorber
  • 193rd Special Operations Wing
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. --  The 193rd Special Operations Wing earned the 2015 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award recently, marking the unit's 17th time receiving this award.

"Our members focus on overseas and domestic operations while ensuring our readiness is second to none. I couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments and efforts," said Col. Mike Cason, 193rd Special Operations Wing commander. "The wing has successfully tackled numerous deployments over the past two years, and these efforts have not gone unnoticed. We'll continue to support the Air Force in meeting our nation's military objectives with the utmost professionalism and expertise."

The honor of the AFOUA goes to units that have distinguished themselves through exceptional meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets them above and apart from their counterparts, according to the award description on the Air Force Personnel Center website. Some of these accomplishments include specific, outstanding achievements of national or international significance; performance of exceptionally meritorious service; or combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States.

The 193rd SOW received this award for their accomplishments from Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2015.

Some of the wing's accomplishments include 213,000 Class A and B mishap-free flying hours; Commando Solo aircraft flown for 500 combat flight hours and more than 3,000 broadcast hours; participation in 24 exercises; and deployment of 735 Airmen across the nation and 27 countries. Additionally, the Wing Color Guard and Airmen performed 44 details, honoring falling military members, veterans and families. Wing personnel raised thousands of dollars for the American Suicide Prevention Foundation, Special Olympics organizations and others. And the wing also captured several awards for leadership, teamwork and volunteerism.

"The dedication of the Airmen of this wing enables the Air National Guard to fulfill its roles of peacekeeping, humanitarian relief, domestic improvement and the defense of America," said Cason. "It's this type of commitment that makes the 193rd exceptional in so many ways."