319th ABW adds another OUA streamer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Warriors of the North from the 319th Air Base Wing recently made their unit's guidon feel a little heavier, but even the person asked to carry it didn't seem to mind.

Tech. Sgt. Marcus Young, executive assistant to the 319th ABW command chief, stood at attention on stage at the Northern Lights Club, and with the wing's guidon held in the position of present arms as more than 250 civilians and service members witnessed Col. Pal Bauman, 319th ABW commander, pin on the red, white, and blue streamer, while Chief Master Sgt. David Duncan, 319th ABW command chief master sergeant, stood opposite of the colonel.

The act of pinning on the streamer was simple and short, but it was significant enough for the base's top officer to say to the crowd the following words.

"I may be the face of wing, but you all are the ones that do the outstanding work that's earned us this recognition," said Bauman. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you."
Staff Sgt. William Braden, one of the ceremony's emcees, read the citation that accompanied the Outstanding Unit Award streamer, which stated the following:

"The 319th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command, distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2014. During this period, the 319th Air Base Wing trained, deployed, and redeployed over 1,400 Airmen in support of Air Expeditionary Force and combatant commander requirements.

"It also provided facilities and equipment support for the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and border Protection, the 69th Reconnaissance Group, and North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing. The wing was also only one of two locations worldwide operating the High Frequency Global Communications System, providing operational support for all Department of Defense agencies, including the President of the United States.

"Additionally, the wing provided logistics, civil engineer, contracting, communications, medical, security, and force support functions as well as facilities and equipment valued at 2.2 billion dollars and executed a budget of 48 million dollars. The distinctive accomplishments of the members of the 319th Air Base Wing reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force."

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