185th Awarded 2011 AF Outstanding Unit Award

  • Published
  • By MSGT Vincent De Groot
  • 185th ARW Wing Public Affairs
Sioux City, Iowa --  The National Guard Bureau in Washington DC announced that the 185th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) from Sioux City, Iowa has been awarded the 2011 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for outstanding achievement from November, 2009 to October, 2011.

Col. Brian Miller, commander of the 185th ARW said this award is not just for the unit members. "This award is for the 185th family members and the communities where we live." He added, "It's a great reflection of the kind of people we have in the Iowa National Guard and the tremendous support we enjoy from our community; our families and employers."

The wing, comprised of over 800 members, flies nine KC-135R air refueling aircraft and is comprised of numerous support elements. The wing's main mission is to provide mid-air refueling and mobility sustainment in support of the global mission of the Air Force. As a community based organization, the wing is also tasked to support the state of Iowa in the event of a state emergency.

During the two year time period starting in November of 2009, nearly 400 members of the 185th have deployed to numerous locations throughout the world in support of Department of Defense contingency operations. Members of the 185th have deployed to 24 countries including Iraq, Afghanistan and missions in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya, many of which were short notice deployments. In addition to supporting global missions, this past summer the 185th ARW served as the Air Operations Center for flood relief and provided members to monitor levee conditions in the Sioux City area.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is given to units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units.

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