163d RW gets flying unit award

  • Published
  • By Capt. Al Bosco
  • 163d RW, Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  

What's better than earning recognition as one of the Air National Guard's premiere flying units? How about being recognized two years in a row? 

The 163d Reconnaissance Wing was recently named one of the National Guard Association of the United States' Distinguished Flying Units - an honor bestowed upon only five of 88 flying wings. 

Having earned the award in 2006 for its efforts in transitioning from the KC-135 Stratotanker to conducting combat operations in the MQ-1 Predator, the wing capitalized on its momentum, tallying some impressive statistics for the year. 

Among the accomplishments cited were amassing nearly 7,500 flying hours across just more than 400 sorties in the Iraq and Afghanistan areas of operation, which resulted in completing more than 1,000 taskings including providing over-watch for raids, convoys, ground combat operations and search and rescue operations. 

But it wasn't the wing's Predator operations alone that earned the award. Also listed among the accomplishments were the wing's support to the U.S. Border Patrol through Operation Jumpstart, participation in two Silver Flag civil engineer deployment readiness exercises and rendering humanitarian and civic medical assistance to impoverished Bolivian citizens during a medical readiness training exercise. 

Commenting on the award, Col. Albert Aimar, 163d RW commander, said he was proud of the wing's accomplishments, having earned the honor twice in as many years. 

"The fact that the wing won the award again says something I've known all along - the Airmen who make up the 163d RW are the best in the business," Colonel Aimar said. 

"I was surprised to learn the wing won it in 2006 during our transition, but to follow up just a year later, and less than two years after we began flying the Predator, is nothing short of amazing. This truly is a stellar achievement. The wing worked hard throughout the year and the men and women of the 163d deserve the recognition." 

Colonel Aimar will formally accept the award on behalf of the wing during a presentation later this year as the annual NGAUS (National Guard Association of the U.S.)conference.