TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --
The 552nd Air Control Wing has been awarded the
Meritorious Unit Award for the period June 1, 2015, to May 31, 2016. During
this period, the 552nd ACW distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious
conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States in
direct support of combat operations in Southwest Asia.
An award streamer was presented to the wing during the
third quarter awards ceremony held Oct. 25 in Fannin Hall. Col. Bradley Bird,
552nd ACW vice commander, and presiding officer for the event, attached the
streamer to the unit guidon held by Chief Master Sgt. Michael Stephens, 552nd
ACW chief enlisted manager.
After the streamer was attached, Colonel Bird addressed
the audience.
“I am very proud to be here today,” said Colonel Bird. “I
am most proud of the professionalism and outstanding airmanship documented in
this citation. The multi-faceted operations that you supported over the past
year were – simply phenomenal and earned recognition at the national level with
this Meritorious Unit Award. Thank you, each and every one of you for your
dedication to our great country.”
The citation noted that the wing made history by deploying
the first E-3G block 40/45 aircraft to a combat theater in support of Operation
Inherent Resolve. The presence of this modified aircraft resulted in enhanced
command and control capabilities in support of coalition forces. The flawless
execution of our airborne and ground forces resulted in the liberation 40,000
Kobane civilians.
In addition, the 552nd ACW assisted Turkish forces through
their first Inherent Resolve missions, by synchronizing 40 allied aircraft in
support of combat operations.
The 552nd ACW generated 10 sorties supporting AFSOUTH’s
counter-drug operations with the aid of various law enforcement agencies by
tracking 1,336 aircraft and 671 surface vessels.
The wing provided support to 10 presidential and 24
Operation Noble Eagle taskings, which included the first visit by the President
of the United States to Cuba in 80 years.