317th AG awarded Meritorious Unit Award

  • Published
  • By Amn. Charles Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 317th Airlift Group was presented the Meritorious Unit Award from Lt. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, Dec. 13 during an award ceremony at the Heritage Club here.

This award is given to units who show exceptional meritorious conduct in direct support of combat operations for at least 90 continuous days.

"The professionalism and teamwork between the men and women of the 317th Airlift group's six squadrons maintained their Group's reputation as the premier C-130 unit in Air Mobility Command," said Col. Dan P. Dagher, 317th AG commander.

The group earned the award in recognition of superior accomplishments from July 2009 to June 2010.

According to the award citation, 317 AG personnel contributed to 8,600 sorties, delivering 306,000 personnel and 9,900 tons of cargo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. 317 AG support of inter-theater airlift contributed to the highest number of personnel airlifted to the entire area of responsibility while maintaining an aging fleet of C-130H aircraft to accomplish an envied 99 percent mission effectiveness rate.

These accomplishments were conducted while the men and women of the group reached a steady-state deployment milestone of over 2,300 consecutive days since Sept. 11, 2001.

"The professionalism and dedication to duty demonstrated by the members of the 317th Airlift Group reflects great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force," said Dagher.

"Our airmen are the best trained airmen in the world," said General Allardice.

Members assigned to the group from July 2009 to June 2010 are authorized to wear the MUA ribbon for supporting the Global War on Terrorism.