302nd AW, 310th SG earn outstanding unit honors

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  • By Tech. Sgt. Tim Taylor
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PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFRC) --  The 302nd Airlift Wing and 310th Space Group are beaming with pride. Both have received the 2006 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

The 302nd is the only wing level unit in 22nd Air Force to receive the AFOUA.

"I know how good we are, but it's nice to know that someone outside the wing recognizes our contributions to the Air Force mission," said Col. James J. Muscatell, 302nd AW commander. "This award honors all the hard work and dedication of our men and women during a very demanding year."

During 2006, the 302nd AW continuously deployed Airmen and aircraft into two major locations in Southwest Asia in support of U.S. Central Command operations. Additional wing members deployed to various locations in support of the Global War on Terrorism as well.

The wing continued to meet other contingency requirements in 2006, including the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission. Between Aug. 28 and Sept. 13 aircrews flew more than 30 sorties against wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, dropping more than 80,000 gallons of retardant in five different states.

The 310th, based at nearby Schriever Air Force Base, spreads its award to subordinate units at two other bases - Buckley AFB, Colo., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

"We're excited about being selected as an AF Outstanding Unit," said Col. Jeff Ansted, 310th SG commander. "This award means a lot to us as it recognizes the excellence in our mission performance and daily duties."

The 310th SG did its part in support of CENTCOM also, deploying several of its members to Southwest Asia, while continuing its day-to-day missions back home.

"Our airmen continue to exceed all expectations while on various deployments to the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility," said Col. Ansted, "by providing time-critical weather data, missile warning and adversary training to warfighters, and by going above and beyond typical space operations duties with new and innovative space missions."

In addition, many members of the wing also received the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award for serving in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. The award was first created in 2001 and replaced the Outstanding Unit Award as the Air Force's equivalent of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The decoration is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Air Force and is considered the unit equivalent to the Legion of Merit.