62 AW receives Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mikayla Heineck
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 62nd Airlift Wing (62 AW) received an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for the time period of Oct. 1, 2018, to Aug. 31, 2020.

It is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to units who distinguished themselves by exceptional meritorious service or outstanding achievement, setting the unit above and apart from similar units.

“The last couple of years have been challenging in many ways, yet Airmen of the 62 AW continue to charge forward with resilience, raise the bar with innovation and culture of excellence, and deliver exceptional results,” said Col. Erin Staine-Pyne, 62 AW commander. 

In 2019, the 62 AW continued to shoulder more than one-third of Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) strategic airlift capabilities while simultaneously orchestrating a runway repaving project. This project required the relocation of all aircraft operations and more than 400 Airmen to March Air Reserve Base, California, for four months.

The 62 AW also supported 14,000 sorties to transport 111 million pounds of cargo globally. In addition, it was the sole active-duty wing in AMC to execute Operation Deep Freeze, which ensured the time-sensitive delivery of supplies to National Science Foundation researchers in Antarctica.

“I am extremely proud to work alongside the incredible Airmen of the 62 AW,” said Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Arce, 62 AW command chief. “Every single one of them played an important role in our achievement of this award.”

Moreover, the 62 AW played a part in directing and leading several exercises including Exercise Rainier War, Exercise Mobility Guardian, and Exercise Longhammer. These exercises were designed to maintain rapid global mobility capabilities and cooperative efforts across the Department of Defense.

“Once again, we demonstrated why the Department of Defense looks to us for rapid global mobility,” Staine-Pyne said. “We have earned the right to call ourselves America’s Airlift Wing!”

Members assigned to the 62 AW during the award period are authorized to wear the AFOUA ribbon or appropriate cluster. Civilian employees are authorized to wear the AFOUA lapel pin when appropriate.