119th Wing Receives Air Force Oustanding Unit Award Published March 25, 2008 By Capt. Penny Ripperger 119th Wing March 7, 2008 -- Fargo, N.D. - The 119th Wing has once again set itself apart from other similar units in the nation by receiving the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for the 12th time. The 119th Wing will conduct a ceremony to receive this honor on Saturday, March 8th at 2:30 p.m. Major General David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. Adjutant General, will be presenting the award to the unit during the ceremony. Each year similar units compete with each other across the nation to obtain this prestigious award, but only four out of 31 units walk away the honor. With 12 wins under its belt, the 119th Wing has continued to place itself in the elite top percent of the nation, with other units across the U.S. averaging three to five awards. The AFOUA is awarded to units which have made achievements of national or international significance, successful involvement with combat and military operations or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force. Specifically, the 119th Wing received the AFOUA for the following actions in 2007: deploying 200 airmen to 12 locations amounting to over 66 man-years in support of the Global War on Terrorism, responding to a call for aid after the Northwood N.D. tornado, assisted with hosting over 700 students and staff during the national Lewis and Clark expedition, successfully converting to two new missions with new aircraft and extending the Wing's extraordinary safety record to over 35 years, over 144,700 flying hours and over 101,600 sorties without a mishap, and completing the stand up of a new Air National Guard security forces squadron at Minot Air Force Base. At the ceremony a streamer will be placed on the unit flag to signify the accomplishment and all current unit members will be awarded the AFOUA ribbon to wear on their uniforms. In addition, the AFOUA ribbon will be proudly displayed on the 119th Wing aircraft signifying how many times the N.D. Air National Guard has won this award as a unit. The 119th Wing won the AFOUA in 1973, 1974, 1979, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006 and 2007.