Luke earns AFOU award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Air Education and Training Command officials announced Nov. 25 that Luke Air Force Base has received the 2009 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009.

"This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our Luke Airmen," said Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander.

"The AFOUA is another in a long line of honors in the great heritage of the 56th Fighter Wing."

The AFOUAs are 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. Luke has earned fi ve AFOUAs since 2001 and 18 total in the wing's history, including 4 with a combat "V" device for valor.

"Over the past year, our wing not only trained hundreds of F-16 pilots and maintainers, but deployed hundreds of war-ready Airmen to directly aid the defense of their country in overseas contingency operations," the general said in the award nomination.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit award was authorized by Department of the Air Force General Order 1, Jan. 6, 1954.

All assigned or attached personnel, including reservists and civilians who AWARD served with a unit at least one day during the period indicated, are authorized the appropriate ribbon if they directly contributed to the mission and accomplishments of the unit.

For active-duty personnel previously assigned to Luke during the inclusive dates, present a copy of the AFOUA orders and permanent change of station orders to the servicing military personnel flight for military personnel data system updates.

Reservists should obtain a copy of the AFOUA orders and forward to the appropriate activity which maintains the unit personnel record group for filing and system update.

Servicing civilian personnel flights should provide authorized civilians with the appropriate recognition pin. For civilian personnel previously assigned to these units during the inclusive dates, present a copy of the AFOUA orders and Standard Form 50 to the servicing CPF for filing and system updates.

Subsequent receipt of this award will allow Airmen to attach a bronze oak leaf cluster to their existing AFOUA ribbon.

Personnel officials say it may take four to six weeks for Airmen records to be updated.