15th Airlift Wing achieves

  • Published
  • By Jeff Nicolay
  • Hickam Kukini Editor
HICKAM AFB, HI --  Members of the 15th Airlift Wing should make room on their full service dress uniform for a new decoration. The wing was among a select group of six Pacific Air Force winners of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, according to the office of Gen. Paul Hester, PACAF Commander. 

"We are both honored and humbled that the 15th Airlift Wing was recognized as an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) recipient," said Col. JJ Torres, 15 AW Commander. "The prestige associated with this award is a direct reflection of the high caliber and professionalism of the men and women that comprise this wing." 

Air Force sources list the decoration, which was created in 1954, as one being awarded as a ribbon to any command of the U.S. Air Force (including 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. 

According to Colonel Torres, all Hickam Airmen serving under the Wing during the award period of Nov. 1, 2004, through Oct. 31, 2006, will qualify for the award ribbon. Qualifying Airmen will receive the ribbon after records have been updated and permission granted for them to wear it on their uniform. 

In the citation accompanying the award notification, the wing was hailed for having "effectively organized, trained, equipped and maintained combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and employment while ensuring forces were ready to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty and wartime air defense." 

It also praised the Wing's speedy ramp-up to operational status, noting that, "15th Airlift Wing personnel achieved the phenomenal feat of becoming 100-percent operational in less than 60 days after the first aircraft delivery. To date, the 15th Airlift Wing has produced 1,460 sorties for 6,670 flying hours while transporting over 7,000 passengers and delivering 5,000 tons of cargo." 

The citation concluded by praising the "distinctive accomplishments of the members of 15th Airlift Wing," noting that the efforts of its personnel reflected "great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force." 

According to General Hester's office, the other PACAF Outstanding Unit Award winners were: 5th Air Force, Yokota AB, Japan; 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson, AFB, Alaska; 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan; 3rd Wing Group, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska;
and 13th Air Force (Kenny Head-quarters), Hickam AFB.