Wing wins AFRC Verne Orr Award

by Tech. Sgt. Danielle Johnston
442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2013 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 442nd Fighter Wing has been named the winner of the Air Force Reserve Command 2013 Verne Orr award.

The award recognizes an Air Force unit's effective use of human resources. The 442nd FW received the award for its mission-oriented unit accomplishments and achievements that used personnel to their full potential in order to accomplish the mission.

The wing's mission of Training and Deploying Combat-Ready Airmen was accomplished through a seamless orchestration with more than 2,000 Citizen Airmen and active-duty servicemembers at four geographically separated locations operating 48 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. In 2012, the wing fully embraced the total force concept by providing support on multiple air expeditionary support deployments, successfully completing an consolidated unit inspection, working through a wing restructure and upgrading all A-10s assigned to the fleet.

The wing utilized maximum resources with annual training at five different duty locations throughout the world. The upgrade and on-the-job training led to a highly qualified wing of Air Force reservists and active-duty Airmen working side by side during seamless total force integration.

"This award was a fantastic accomplishment that everyone in the wing worked very hard to earn," said Brig. Gen. Eric S. Overturf, 442nd Fighter Wing commander. "The dedication of our Citizen Airmen is very apparent, and it's great to have that kind of recognition throughout the command."

The unit will now be nominated to win the Verne Orr award at the Air-Force level.

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