KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. -- The 173rd Fighter Wing earned the 2021 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptional meritorious service and outstanding achievement for the period of January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021.
“It is an honor for the 173rd Fighter Wing to be awarded with the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; this sort of national recognition further validates the long tradition of excellence that Team Kingsley has become known for,” said Col. Micah Lambert, 173rd Fighter Wing vice commander.
This award recognizes the highest performing unit across the Air National Guard.
During this period, the 173rd FW supported both the State of Oregon and the Nation. Kingsley deployed 533 Airmen to support eight wildfires and provided support during the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest. Along with increased levels of support to the state, 56 members fulfilled federal deployments.
“With all that Team Kingsley Airmen overcame, the award was written by simply telling their story,” Lambert said.
Additionally, the unit continued to remain the “Land of No Slack”, the unofficial moto of the wing, outpacing other units by 1,055 sorties. Kingsley maintainers supported those sorties, recording the lowest amount of maintenance cancels, highest mission capable rates, and highest aircraft utilization rates in the process.
Lambert said he was impressed with the response from both full-time and drill-status forces alike.
“Drill-status guardsmen don’t just answer the call alone; they received support from their civilian employers and families through these many activations. This award is also in recognition of their support and sacrifice over the last few years,” he said.
Kingsley has won this award a total of seven times since 2003 and was the sole recipient during award periods from 2011-2018. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon is authorized for wear by all members assigned to the 173rd FW during the award timeframe.