2 Minn. Nat. Guard Units Receive Outstanding Service Awards

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Two Minnesota National Guard units have received awards for their exceptional service in the Air Force.

On Wednesday, the director of the Air National Guard announced the recipients of the 2012 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA), a press release said. Among the recipients were the St. Paul-based 133rd Airlift Wing and the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing.

The award recognizes the top 10 percent of Air Force units that stand out due to their exceptional service or outstanding achievement.

It is the ninth time the 133rd Airlift Wing has won an AFOUA. The unit was awarded for its 2012 service for deploying more than 500 airmen to 11 countries, flying more than 1,700 combat sorties to southwest Asia and maintaining a high mission capable rate, among other things.

For the 148th Fighter Wing, it is the unit's eighth AFOUA award. The 148th Fighter Wing was awarded for deploying more than 300 airmen to 12 counties, including Afghanistan, for flying 503 combat sorties in Afghanistan, and more fulfilling 100 percent is its combat missions.

According to Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert F. Cayton, the AFOUA is an award that "validates the performance of our airmen who work tirelessly to ensure we maintain a competent ready force and perform our missions safely and effectively."