Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew Jamison, second from left, assistant adjutant...... read more read more
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing was presented the Spaatz Trophy at the 2014 National Guard Association of the United States conference in Chicago, Aug. 25.
The Spaatz Trophy is presented to the most outstanding flying unit in the Air National Guard each year. This is the fourth time the114th Fighter Wing has won the prestigious award; the last time was in 1988.
Selection is based on overall combat readiness and the unit's performance with respect to all other Air National Guard flying units. Factors included in the evaluation are flying safety, aircraft operation readiness, weapons firing, unit alerts, unit manning, skill level qualifications, retention, drill attendance, operational readiness inspections, outstanding accomplishments and special missions and exercises.
Throughout 2013, the 114th Fighter Wing deployed 220 Airmen to six countries providing Aerospace Expeditionary Forces to support global operations. Training and operational deployments included Red Flag, Silver Flag, Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The 114th Fighter Wing participated in a joint naval threat exercise with the Naval Air Warfare Center in California and New Mexico, as well as Jaded Strike Exercise working with Special Operations Forces in Arizona. More than 75percent of current unit members have actively supported deployed overseas contingency operations since 9/11.
This past year also saw the 114th Fighter Wing support a deployed Aerospace Control Alert mission assuring 24/7 homeland defense alert protection with aircraft and personnel.
The 114th Fighter Wing was evaluated by the Air Force during this period as well. The unit received an Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Inspection and the Joint Staff Integrated Vulnerability Assessment, and the pilots received a Standardization/Evaluation inspection.
Members of the 114th Fighter Wing demonstrated continued support to their communities and state through volunteer and mentoring efforts in local schools, support of STARBASE youth programs to increase skills in Math, Science and Technology, assistance with the distribution of school supplies in Project SOS, serving meals at the “Banquet” and countless individual hours volunteering in various community activities.
“What our Airmen accomplished this last year is truly remarkable, as 2013 may go down as one of the most challenging years in unit history,” said Col. Russ Walz, 114th Fighter Wing commander. “Three training deployments, overseas operational deployments with Airmen in six different countries, and three major inspections from the Air Force in one year is an amazing effort from all the ‘Fighting Lobos’. And it occurred in a year where we experienced a government shutdown and budget shortfalls that forced furloughs of our full-time force.”
Walz said the unselfish contributions of the men and women of the 114th Fighter Wing embody the ‘service before self’ core value.
“It’s appropriate that their outstanding accomplishments are acknowledged by winning the highest award given to an Air National Guard unit,” said Walz. “I’m extremely proud to be their commander.”
| Date Taken: | 09.05.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2014 10:48 |
| Story ID: | 142271 |
| Location: | SIOUX FALLS, SD, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, SD named most outstanding flying unit in Air National Guard, by SMSgt Nancy Ausland, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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