317th Airlift Group awarded Meritorious Unit Award

by Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

11/26/2012 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 317th Airlift Group received the Meritorious Unit Award in recognition of their superior accomplishments from July 2011 to June 2012.

This award is given to units that show exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding achievement or service in direct support of combat operations for at least 90 continuous days.

The unit qualified for this award by making tremendous and singularly distinctive contributions in support of the United States tactical airlift objectives, Air Mobility Command's global airlift mission and the direct support of overseas contingency operations.

"This award is very special to me because every member of the group contributed to earning it," said Col. Walter H. Ward, 317th Airlift Group commander. "Teamwork is the enabler of all our successes, and I'm pleased to see our group recognized for getting the job done in a manner true to service before self. There are so many reasons to be proud of the Airmen and families of the 317th Airlift Group; this is just one more to add to the list. I'm very proud of all of them and humbled to be part of this magnificent team."

According to the award citation, 317th AG personnel executed 9,359 sorties that delivered over 137,391 personnel and 27,940 tons of cargo in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

These efforts were instrumental to the closure of combat operations in Iraq while sustaining the surge in Afghanistan. These missions included Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance data collection, medical evacuation and psychological operations.

Additionally, the dedication of the men and women of the 317th AG is marked by 3,116 consecutive days deployed throughout the world.

This is the third time the 317th AG has received the MUA.

Members assigned to the group from July 2011 to June 2012 are authorized to wear the MUA ribbon for supporting Overseas Contingency Operations.