OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Air Combat Command recently announced the 55th Wing as one of its Meritorious Unit Award recipients for 2017.
The 55th Wing was just one of six wings to earn the award from the command, which recognizes organizations for outstanding achievement or service in direct support of combat operations.
“Every member of the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth should wear this ribbon with pride,” said Col. Michael Manion, 55th Wing commander. “They have certainly earned it.”
During the award period of June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017, the wing executed 31 deployments using four different aircraft to support five different combatant commands. This included the first RC-135V/W Rivet Joint deployment to Northern Command in more than 25 years.
“Our wing has been deployed continuously to Southwest Asia for more than 27 years now, but we’re constantly being called upon and answering other command’s request for our unique skill set around the world as well,” Manion said.
The 55th Wing’s EC-130H Compass Calls were the highest utilized C-130s in the Air Force’s inventory during this time period and it’s communications experts, which are the most unique in ACC, used its $1.5B inventory to support the President of the United States and eight different combatant commands among others.
“I’m so thankful and honored to have the great fortune to lead this group of Airmen,” Manion said. “The members of the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth are truly making history on a daily basis.”
This is the eleventh time the wing has earned the award and the first time since 2015.