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Charleston wing earns award with valor

  • Published
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 437th Airlift Wing here has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor) for meritorious service from Sept. 11, 2001, to June 30, 2003. All Airmen assigned to the wing during this time will receive the award, but only those who were deployed overseas during this time will receive the Valor device.

"If you were assigned or attached to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during the inclusive period, then you will be eligible for the valor device," said Capt. Caryn Kirkpatrick, 437th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight commander.

Valor devices are given to appropriately recognize the noteworthy accomplishments of Air Force personnel placed in harm's way during contingency deployment operations.

"The accomplishments of the 437th AW since 9/11 have been simply extraordinary," said Col. Brooks Bash, 437th AW commander. "The Valor recognition is an uncommon award for a stateside wing, and it reflects the uncommon effort and successes that come with the 437th AW's dedication to excellence."

During the award period, the 437th AW participated in numerous historic events. Airmen from the 437th AW delivered more than 2 million humanitarian daily rations to the people of Afghanistan, provided the deepest Marine insertion in Marine history and opened the northern front in Iraq with the first-ever C-17 airdrop of troops into a combat zone.

During this time, Charleston surpassed previous records set during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Colonel Bash said.

"All members of Team Charleston, active and Reserve, played an important role in achieving this recognition and can take great pride in this historic accomplishment," Colonel Bash said. "They truly did it with valor."

Colonel Bash also thanked the local community for their support and said having such a great relationship with the people outside the gate helps keep the morale of Charleston Airmen high.