PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 302nd Airlift Wing was recognized as an Air Force Outstanding Unit and is among 18 Reserve units that earned an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptional performance in 2015.
Topping the compliment of achievements by the Peterson-based wing, the Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 302nd AW distinguished themselves in 2015 by earning the Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III Award, naming them the Air Force Reserve’s Outstanding Air Mobility Wing in 2015. The award is presented annually by the Airlift/Tanker Association and recognizes a Reserve wing that is making significant contributions to the overall success of the Mobility Air Force mission and total force. Airmen here were specifically recognized for their role in delivering two C-130 Hercules aircraft to Afghanistan for the U.S. State Department and instructing the Afghan Air Force members on C-130 operations.
Notably, alongside earning the Sherrard award, the 302nd Operations Group maintained high-tempo operations generating more than 8,000 flying hours, completing nearly 4,000 C-130 sorties and assisting the U.S. Forest Service in fighting more than 15 national wildfires where 302nd AW Airmen dropped 379,000 gallons of fire retardant.
The 302nd Maintenance Group was also recognized for outstanding achievements to include having several of the best maintained C-130’s in the Reserve Command and for exceeding aircraft maintenance goals for mission capable aircraft in 2015.
The members of the Reserve Wing also supported the mission globally with dozens heading overseas in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve where the combined 302nd AW Reserve force totaled up over 2,000 days of support.
Cost-effectiveness is another aspect of the wing that was recognized by the Outstanding Unit Award. Deployed Air Force reservists assigned to the 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron contributed to innovations in airfield lighting and hangar projects saving the Air Force thousands of dollars and valuable time. Also, resulting from the deployment of Reserve Security Forces members, the Department of Defense was able to ensure completion of nearly 700 cargo missions valuing $2 billion worth of assets.
“The outstanding accomplishments recognized in this award touch on every area within the wing,” said Col. James DeVere, who took command of the 302nd AW in April, 2016. “Innovation, experience and dedication by our operations, maintenance, and support Airmen is what led to this award. This recognition highlights dozens of accomplishments from every group, squadron and flight. Every 302nd reservist awarded this medal can wear it proudly, knowing their individual contributions are what continue to make this wing outstanding.”
In addition to operational achievements, wing members pushed themselves on personal academic achievement. More than 75 enlisted Reserve Citizen Airmen earned their Community College of the Air Force Degrees during the award period.
The wing has a consistent history of excellence receiving the AFOUA for the award periods of 1990-1991; 1998-1999; 2001-2002; 2004-2006; 2006-2008; 2009-2011; and most recently in 2015.