Photo By David Lipp | U.S. Air Force Col. Kent Olson, the 119th Wing commander, holds a list of achievements...... read more read more
FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota National Guard’s 119th Wing, known as the Happy Hooligans, formally received its 17th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) today, during a ceremony at the Air National Guard base in Fargo.
Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, presented the unit award to the Happy Hooligans and commended them for their exceptional service, commitment and mission accomplishment.
“We know you’re engaged in supporting global missions and making a significant impact on operations abroad, and we’re grateful for your service to our state and nation,” Sprynczynatyk said. “You've all played a significant role in making this unit one of the very best in the nation. I am consistently impressed with the commitment, dedication and skill with which you execute all of your missions.”
The AFOUA recognizes units across the active-duty 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.
Since the start of the Global War on Terrorism, about 2,600 North Dakota Air National Guard members have mobilized, with 49 of those Airmen deploying to multiple locations through 100 percent volunteerism in just the last year.
Also present at the ceremony was Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel, vice chief of the National Guard Bureau.
“The Guard does three things. We fight our wars, we protect the homeland and we build partnerships. And if you look at the Hooligans and each one of those three areas, there is not a more relevant war fighting unit in our United States Air Force or Air National Guard than the 119th Wing,” Lengyel said.
“The Hooligans are a solution unit. They get things done. They have a work ethic like no other ... but I'll tell you what strikes me the most and continues to strike me the most with the 119th is this excellence combined with the humility. Such humble excellence is rare,” he added.
The AFOUA is awarded by the secretary of the Air Force to numbered units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units.
During her visit in July of this year, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James praised the wing for being the “tip of the spear.” She praised the 119th Wing for its efforts and success on the forefront of winning the continued fight against terrorism.
“The Happy Hooligans have demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt to change, and they continuously accept and successfully complete missions of enormous significance,” Sprynczynatyk said. “The unit provides security for our bases and missile fields, gathers critical intelligence and supports warfighters around the world with expert use of remotely piloted aircraft, and enables mission success through critical medical, administrative and services support skills. It’s no wonder why the Happy Hooligans have become one of the most recognized groups of professionals in today’s military.”
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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 4,200 Soldiers and over 2,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, about 20 North Dakota Guardsmen are mobilized for overseas and domestic service. With a total force of about 4,100 Guardsmen, the North Dakota National Guard remains ready for stateside response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.
| Date Taken: | 12.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.05.2015 17:19 |
| Story ID: | 183569 |
| Location: | FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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