On behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council approved the following organizations for 2014-2015 United States Air Force Unit Awards for the periods indicated below (Unit/Inclusive Period):
The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA)
- 79th Medical Wing (79 MDW) / Joint Base Andrews MD / 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2014
- 10th Air Base Wing (10 ABW) / United States Air force (USAF) Academy CO / 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2014
The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (AFOEA
- Air Education and Training Command (AETC) / Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph TX / 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2014
- Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) / Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph TX / 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2014
- Air Force Office of Air Force Reserve (HAF/RE) / Pentagon Washington DC / 1 October 2013 - 31 December 2014
- Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO) / Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling DC / 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2014
- Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) / Robins AFB GA / 1 October 2013 - 31 December 2014
- HQ Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Directorate of Special Programs (USAF-A2) / Pentagon Washington DC / 1 October 2013 - 31 December 2014
- HQ Air Force Special Operations Command (HQ AFSOC) / Hurlburt Field FL / 1 January 2014 - 31 December 2014
- HQ Pacific Air Forces Command (HQ PACAF) / Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam HI / 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2014
- HQ United States Air Force Academy (HQ USAFA) / USAF Academy CO / 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2014
The parent organizations identified for these awards will be provided unit award elements (i.e. certificate, citation, and streamer).
Subordinate units assigned directly to parent organizations can share in these awards provided they have been identified by the parent unit as being eligible. Subordinate units should contact the parent unit for verification. Per this message, the Air Force Personnel Center Recognition Programs Section (AFPC/DP1SP) will publish special orders and update all parent and subordinate units in the Air Force Unit Award Database.
Please note: Units are not obligated to provide each individual a copy of the special order for verification of the unit award.
Individual Eligibility: In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2803, paragraph 4.11., all unit/organization permanently assigned or attached personnel (military or civilian) who served in the unit/organization for at least one day during a period for which a unit award was approved are authorized the appropriate ribbon, if they directly contributed to the mission and accomplishments of the unit. When needed, the squadron commander or other designated official in a unit recognized validates and determines entitlement.
Force Support Squadron (FSS) Responsibility: For military personnel, the Military Personnel Section (MPS) will ensure the Military Personnel Data System (MILPDS) is updated for entitled individuals as soon as possible. The update codes for each of the approved unit awards are available in MILPDS. A batch update can be accomplished for personnel still assigned to an identified organization. The current servicing FSS will validate entitlements and update MILPDS for personnel previously assigned to an identified organization who have had a permanent change of station (PCS) or permanent change of assignment (PCA) and are entitled to share in the approved unit award. Verification of assignment to any of the approved organizations can be accomplished by reviewing the military personnel record and/or assignment data in MILPDS, and comparing it to the Air Force Unit Award Database. When necessary, the servicing FSS may contact the squadron commander or another designated official in a recognized unit to validate entitlement. For civilian personnel, the Civilian Personnel Section (CPS) will update the AFOUA and AFOEA in the Defense Civilian Personnel Data System (DCPDS), and ensure entitled personnel receive the appropriate lapel pin, according to AFI 36-1004, paragraph 5.4.11.
Individual Responsibility: Active duty, Reserve, and Guard personnel who are/have been assigned to these identified organizations can report to their servicing MPS and have their unit awards updated in their records, and are authorized to wear the appropriate unit award ribbon (AFOEA or AFOUA) on their uniforms according to AFI 36-2903, Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel. Personnel who have since had a PCS or PCA and are entitled to share in the approved unit award listed should report to their servicing FSS for assistance. Veterans should report to their local Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, or Veterans Administration offices for assistance. Air Force civilian employees should report to their servicing CPS to have the award documented in DCPDS and receive the appropriate lapel pin.