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9th AF named 'Air Force Outstanding Unit'

  • Published
  • By Captain Jennifer Richard
  • Ninth Air Force Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, 9th Air Force commander, attached the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award streamer to the 9th AF unit flag during a commander's call here Oct. 26.

The streamer-pinning ceremony marked the unit's first-ever receipt of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Ninth Air Force received the award for exceptionally meritorious service from June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2012.

"This is a significant accomplishment," said General Wells, speaking to the 9th AF members attending the commander's call. "Realize that you--the people sitting here today--are responsible for this award."

During the award period, the unit created a fully functioning headquarters organization, instituting programs and policies for 18 directorates and offices with overall command of seven active duty wings and two direct reporting units with 25,700 assigned personnel.

The unit served as the largest numbered air force provider of combat fighter and search and rescue aircraft, ensuring the combat readiness of seven types of airframes, 324 combat aircraft, 11 active-duty joint terminal attack controller squadrons, 16 Air National Guard joint terminal attack controller squadrons, and five Air National Guard Air Control Squadrons.

Ninth Air Force members took the lead in numerous initiatives between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2012 including the consolidation of all Air Combat Command joint terminal attack controllers under 9th AF, including more than 1,150 active duty and Air National Guard combat Airmen. The unit also led in the ACC investigation board of the F-22 Raptor on-board oxygen generating system. Additionally, 9th Air Force instituted readiness assessment visits for its assigned and aligned units resulting in improved pass rates for wings and squadrons in higher headquarters inspections.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award was authorized by Department of the Air Force General Order 1, Jan. 6, 1954. It is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units, according to the Air Force Personnel Center.

Units earn the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award by achieving one of the following, according to the Air Force Personnel Center: performance of exceptionally meritorious service, accomplishment of a specific outstanding achievement of national or international significance, combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, or military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force.

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9th AF named 'Air Force Outstanding Unit'

  • Published
  • By Captain Jennifer Richard
  • Ninth Air Force Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, 9th Air Force commander, attached the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award streamer to the 9th AF unit flag during a commander's call here Oct. 26.

The streamer-pinning ceremony marked the unit's first-ever receipt of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Ninth Air Force received the award for exceptionally meritorious service from June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2012.

"This is a significant accomplishment," said General Wells, speaking to the 9th AF members attending the commander's call. "Realize that you--the people sitting here today--are responsible for this award."

During the award period, the unit created a fully functioning headquarters organization, instituting programs and policies for 18 directorates and offices with overall command of seven active duty wings and two direct reporting units with 25,700 assigned personnel.

The unit served as the largest numbered air force provider of combat fighter and search and rescue aircraft, ensuring the combat readiness of seven types of airframes, 324 combat aircraft, 11 active-duty joint terminal attack controller squadrons, 16 Air National Guard joint terminal attack controller squadrons, and five Air National Guard Air Control Squadrons.

Ninth Air Force members took the lead in numerous initiatives between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2012 including the consolidation of all Air Combat Command joint terminal attack controllers under 9th AF, including more than 1,150 active duty and Air National Guard combat Airmen. The unit also led in the ACC investigation board of the F-22 Raptor on-board oxygen generating system. Additionally, 9th Air Force instituted readiness assessment visits for its assigned and aligned units resulting in improved pass rates for wings and squadrons in higher headquarters inspections.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award was authorized by Department of the Air Force General Order 1, Jan. 6, 1954. It is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units, according to the Air Force Personnel Center.

Units earn the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award by achieving one of the following, according to the Air Force Personnel Center: performance of exceptionally meritorious service, accomplishment of a specific outstanding achievement of national or international significance, combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, or military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force.