354th Fighter Wing earns Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Peter Reft
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
2/20/2015 -- EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 354th Fighter Wing has earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for meritorious service from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sep. 30, 2014.

The 354th FW was named Pacific Air Force's hardest flying fighter wing. The 354th FW displayed meritorious service with significant global impact in support of U.S./NATO military operations by preparing forces through superior capability training, deploying Icemen worldwide and enabling Pacific Command missions.

Airmen and squadrons which fall under the 354th FW won a number of awards, including a Purple Heart, five "Best in PACAF" Maintenance Metrics, Command's Aviation Maintenance Safety Award, PACAF's  top Sexual Assault Prevention Response training base with a first-ever zero deficiencies rating and the barrier shop's Best Aircraft Arresting System in Command recognition.

The 354th FW endures 8-month arctic winters that can reach to 50 degrees below zero at times and often receives up to 111 inches annually of snow.  The wing maintained mission operability with 6,800 sorties despite the harsh weather conditions.

The largest ever DISTANT FRONTIER combat training exercise was led by the 354th FW. Twelve units completed more than 1,000 missions employing over 100 weapons, serving as the linchpin of 4th and 5th generation fighter integration.

The 354th FW also enabled the first ever Republic of Korea Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions during COPE NORTH 2014. Successful mission executions advanced area of responsibility and partner capacity. 

During the 2013 Alaska forest fires, leaders of the 354th FW led fire suppression, humanitarian and restoration teams after an 87,000-acre fire threatened Eielson and surrounding communities. Iceman team members completed a $2 million restoration of communication systems returning operations to full mission capability two weeks ahead of schedule.

"This recognition for the hard work of the men and women of the 354th FW is well deserved and I'm extremely proud of the entire Iceman Team and what they have accomplished," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Brown, the 354th FW command chief.  "Icemen should wear this award proudly, knowing that we are truly, 'ready to go at 50 below'."

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is awarded to units which have outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above national or international significance, combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States or military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force.