Wing honored with AF Outstanding Unit Award Published March 8, 2010 By Public Affairs staff 419th Fighter Wing HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH -- The 419th Fighter Wing was recently named as a recipient of the prestigious Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The honor was given to Utah's only Air Force Reserve wing for exceptionally meritorious service from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009. During this timeframe, the wing distinguished itself in its Total Force Integration with Hill's active duty 388th Fighter Wing, its significant, ongoing support of contingency operations, and for making its personnel and their family members a top priority. "I couldn't be more proud of the astounding accomplishments of our folks," said Col. Walter "Buck" Sams, 419th FW commander. "We've had an extremely demanding operations tempo these past several years and our personnel rise to the occasion time and time again. I think this is just a preview of the great accomplishments yet to come." The award citation calls the 419th FW a TFI success story. As the first integration of its kind for an Air Force fighter unit, the Reserve wing shares aircraft and equipment with its Regular Air Force counterparts in the 388th FW. The 419th produced 27 percent of the two wings' operational results with only 14 percent of the wings' combined total workforce. The 419th also completed the first Fighter Association Total Force Strategic Plan and Mission Statement with the 388th FW, emphasizing overall force readiness and combined effectiveness--a benchmark for other Total Force associations throughout the Air Force. During the award period, Reserve volunteerism reached an all-time high in support of mission requirements, from the host home base station to locations around the world. This includes 1,162 total days of volunteer service and 581 continuous days of Air Expeditionary Force support. In the 419th Mission Support Group alone, more than 250 personnel deployed to bases within the U.S., as well as Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Turkey, Guam and Germany. This includes deployments in support of contingency operations along with humanitarian missions. The 419th made people a priority with programs such as Yellow Ribbon, Key Spouses, Family Day, AEF retreats and other events that honor and recognize reservists and inform them on the support and benefits available to them. As a result, the wing boasts an impressive 98 percent retention rate in recent years. The wing made strides with increased emphasis on creating positive work environments, providing opportunities for professional growth, and offering award-winning training.