North Dakota Air National Guard Base, N.D. -- The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing, known as the Happy
Hooligans, formally accepted the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for the 22nd time
during a ceremony at their Fargo base on March 6.
Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general, placed the award on the 119th Wing’s
colors, commending the Hooligan Airmen for their exceptional service and mission
accomplishment.
“The Happy Hooligans represent the very definition of sustained excellence, and that’s not an
easy accomplishment,” said Dohrmann. “Year in and year out, even with changes in leadership,
you continue to operate at the very highest levels. You Hooligans through your culture, your
devotion to duty, professionalism, and adherence to your values as an organization, have
achieved this significant U.S. Air Force recognition 22 times. Truly marvelous.”
The award was accepted on behalf of the 119th Wing by its commander, Col. Darrin Anderson.
“Congratulations to all our Airmen. Your dedication to excellence is a key driver of mission
success and the distinctive AFOUA is a great reflection of the caliber of talent our Airmen bring
to the fight every day,” said Anderson. “I could not be prouder of the 119th Wing during my time
as commander. Receiving 22nd AFOUAs is a phenomenal achievement and adds to the rich
legacy of the Happy Hooligans.”
The AFOUA is awarded by the secretary of the U.S. Air Force to numbered units of the activeduty
Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard that have distinguished
themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement, including
successful involvement with combat operations or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing
foreign force.
The recent award period was for achievements rendered from Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019, in
which the 119th Wing successfully executed combat and expeditionary support operations to
multiple commands by activating over 165 Airmen to locations around the globe. Notable
accomplishments include over 10,000 combat hours flown resulting in successful degradation of
enemy networks; the 119th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group continuing to
lead the Air National Guard through its 456 percent increase in target production output; and the
219th Security Forces Squadron facilitating a 98.7 percent sortie alert rate while safeguarding
$3.3 billion in U.S. Strategic Command nuclear assets.
The Hooligans previously earned the award in 1971, 1973, 1979,