442nd members receive award with valor

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angela Blazier
  • 442nd Fighter Wing public affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Some 442nd Fighter Wing members will be wearing a new ribbon for their participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom March 19, 2003 to May 1, 2003.

The 442nd Fighter Wing, 303rd Fighter Squadron and more than 20 other units have been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor for their deployment to the U.S. Central Command Air Forces Area of Responsibility, Iraq, in 2003. However, only individuals who deployed overseas are entitled to the award.

“The 303rd Fighter Squadron received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, which is given to Air Force numbered units who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets them above and apart from similar units,” ,” said Lt. Col. David Zeh, deputy director, USCENTAF Manpower and Personnel. “A bronze ‘V’ device is used to denote combat or direct combat support, and the statement ‘with V device,’ if the award is for meritorious service or outstanding achievement in a combat area.”

More than 300 Fighter Wing members deployed to Iraq from March to November 2003.

Those members who were in-country at least one day from March 19 to May 1, 2003, are entitled to the award.

In addition, members that deployed for 90 days or more from May 1, 2003 to April 30, 2004 in support of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing were awarded the Meritorious Unit Award.

“Anyone that was eligible would show up on the Virtual MPF as having received the award,” said Staff Sgt. Sandy Rougeau, customer service chief, 442nd Military Personnel Flight.

The 442nd’s military personnel flight recommends members check the status of their records by logging onto the Air Force Personnel Center’s Web site at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/vs/.