DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- The 919th Special Operations Group was recently selected by Air Force Reserve Command as their nominee for the Air Force Gallant Unit Award.
It came as no surprise to the 500 total force Airmen making up the only special operations group in Reserve Command.
"It's an honor to have our group be the AFRC nominee for this citation. It highlights the continuous hard work and war-fighting effort our people put in on a daily basis in an ever-changing operational environment,” said Col. Regina Sabric, 919th SOG commander. “I am extremely proud of the dedication of the men and women of the 919th SOG in accomplishing the mission every day.”
The group with Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Aviation Foreign Internal Defense, Non-Standard Aviation and flight training operations responsibilities earned the AFRC selection for their global war on terrorism efforts from January 2014 through December 31, 2015.
According to the citation write up:
The group’s efforts led directly to 532 enemies killed, the standup of the Afghan Special Mission Wing, special operation forces battlefield mobility in the U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Southern Command theaters. Also, partner nation special operation forces capacity building operations and 11,467 hours of flight instruction in four special operations major weapon systems.
The group led the Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment in an African partner nation, providing mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to presidentially-directed counter-terrorism operations against the lord’s resistance army.
Group members deployed for more than 900 days, flew 1,291 combat sorties, logged 4,877 combat hours, and executed continuous Special Operation Forces Remotely Piloted Aircraft operations.
"This nomination is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of all of us here in the group," said Chief Master Sgt. Tyler Outten, the group's superintendent. "Although we are a very small percentage of AFRC, our role in the defense of our nation is important and unique. It makes me proud we are being recognized at the Air Force level once again. We can all be very proud of this."
The units of the 919th SOG are:
2nd SOS – the operational remotely piloted aircraft squadron
5thSOS – the special operations flight and mission training squadron
711th SOS – combat aviation advisors/foreign internal defense
859th SOS – nonstandard aviation
919th SOSS – operations support