166th Airlift Wing earns Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for two year period

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NEW CASTLE, Delaware --  The 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard has been selected as a recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the two year period of Nov. 1, 2009 to Oct. 31, 2011, making the 166th AW in New Castle, Del. just one of 36 ANG wings and one of four ANG C-130 wings to receive the award.

This is the second consecutive time that the 166th AW has been selected for this award, having last received it in 2009 for the period of Nov. 1, 2007 to Oct. 31, 2009.

The Air National Guard recipients of the AFOUA were announced by ANG Director Lt. Gen. Harry N. Wyatt, III, who recently visited Delaware as the main speaker at the Delaware National Guard Senior Leaders' Call in Dover on Jan. 7, 2012. "Please pass on my personal congratulations ... for being selected as recipients of the AFOUA based upon meritorious service," said Gen. Wyatt in his message to state National Guard adjutant generals announcing the units that received the award.

Major Gen. Frank Vavala, the Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard, said, "This award is a tremendous testament to the selfless dedication and competency of the Airmen of the 166th Airlift Wing. Your service around the world in multiple combat zones and assistance to fellow citizens at home during natural disasters has received appropriate recognition at the highest levels of the Air Force."

In a message to wing Airmen, Brig. Gen. Carol Timmons, the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Delaware National Guard, said, "On behalf of our Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala and me, congratulations for your continued outstanding performance for the past 24 months, resulting in your selection for the prestigious Air Force Outstanding Unit Award to the 166th Airlift Wing. I am proud of each of the nearly 1,100 men and women in the Delaware ANG who all contributed to earning this highly competitive distinction. It is because of your hard work, dedication to duty, and passion to serve that continues to keep the 166th AW at the top of the pyramid as one of America's premier flying wings. Enjoy this well deserved accolade. You have earned it. You have been fighting two wars, supporting the State of Delaware during numerous snow storms and hurricanes, and performing with distinction through a myriad of exercises and inspections. Most importantly, you have done it safely, with nearly 50 years of accident free flying. I am proud to serve side-by-side with you."

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