505th Command and Control Wing receives Outstanding Unit Award Published Sept. 28, 2009 By 505 CCW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 505th Command and Control Wing has proven yet again how well they compete toe to toe with the competition as they were one of only five units across Air Combat Command to be awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service in 2009. The award, given by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement, is the fifth for the 505th Command and Control Wing. "I'm extremely proud of the men and women of the 505th Command and Control Wing as we partner with the joint and coalition team to win today's fight," said Col. Edward McKinzie, 505th CCW commander. "We've trained hundreds of Airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines who go on to fight with coalition partners in Iraq and Afghanistan. A large portion of our work occurs in the spin up training and preparation for deployment with the importance being noticed immediately when combat forces are employed. The wing's commitment to distinctive service begins with preparation of command and control warriors to execute operational- and tactical-level theater air combat campaigns critical to fighting across the spectrum of warfare. They train joint, multi-service, and coalition forces who partner with United States allies to help win today's fight. The wing also supports U.S. Joint Forces Command, the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, and Air Combat Command to help sharpen the sword through education and training such as Blue/Red/Green Flag exercises, Coalition Virtual Flags and Unified Endeavor. During the period of June 2008 through May 2009, the 505th CCW trained more than 2,000 Air and Space Operation Center military personnel destined for AOCs throughout the world. The wing executed 13 exercises supporting 4,390 live-fly and virtual exercise combat missions, 13,786 sorties and prosecuted more than 650 dynamic targets resulting in warfighters ready to answer the nation's call. The wing also tested and verified multiple theater operations combat plans. Other wing accomplishments included: - Overseeing a robust $23 million C2 network architecture, delivering command and control communications support for 25 exercise events involving 4,200 warfighters. - Providing pivotal leadership and expertise in implementing the Air Force Chief of Staff's Joint Training Transformation Initiative, ensuring 150,000 Army personnel and 30 general officers from five corps and eight divisions participated in exercises preparing them for combat operations. - As the Air Force's Distributed Mission Operations experts, the wing linked 27 sites, three services and four nations, driving 32 "firsts" in Air Combat Command exercises, demonstrating cutting edge joint and coalition distributed mission operations. "Today's Air Force brings specific capabilities to the joint fight to defend the homeland, deter aggression, help those in need and defend the freedoms we all enjoy," said Colonel McKinzie. "The men and women of the 505th CCW stand tall knowing they have been recognized for ensuring our Air Force continues to fly fight and win in Air, Space, and Cyberspace."
505th Command and Control Wing receives Outstanding Unit Award Published Sept. 28, 2009 By 505 CCW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 505th Command and Control Wing has proven yet again how well they compete toe to toe with the competition as they were one of only five units across Air Combat Command to be awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service in 2009. The award, given by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement, is the fifth for the 505th Command and Control Wing. "I'm extremely proud of the men and women of the 505th Command and Control Wing as we partner with the joint and coalition team to win today's fight," said Col. Edward McKinzie, 505th CCW commander. "We've trained hundreds of Airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines who go on to fight with coalition partners in Iraq and Afghanistan. A large portion of our work occurs in the spin up training and preparation for deployment with the importance being noticed immediately when combat forces are employed. The wing's commitment to distinctive service begins with preparation of command and control warriors to execute operational- and tactical-level theater air combat campaigns critical to fighting across the spectrum of warfare. They train joint, multi-service, and coalition forces who partner with United States allies to help win today's fight. The wing also supports U.S. Joint Forces Command, the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, and Air Combat Command to help sharpen the sword through education and training such as Blue/Red/Green Flag exercises, Coalition Virtual Flags and Unified Endeavor. During the period of June 2008 through May 2009, the 505th CCW trained more than 2,000 Air and Space Operation Center military personnel destined for AOCs throughout the world. The wing executed 13 exercises supporting 4,390 live-fly and virtual exercise combat missions, 13,786 sorties and prosecuted more than 650 dynamic targets resulting in warfighters ready to answer the nation's call. The wing also tested and verified multiple theater operations combat plans. Other wing accomplishments included: - Overseeing a robust $23 million C2 network architecture, delivering command and control communications support for 25 exercise events involving 4,200 warfighters. - Providing pivotal leadership and expertise in implementing the Air Force Chief of Staff's Joint Training Transformation Initiative, ensuring 150,000 Army personnel and 30 general officers from five corps and eight divisions participated in exercises preparing them for combat operations. - As the Air Force's Distributed Mission Operations experts, the wing linked 27 sites, three services and four nations, driving 32 "firsts" in Air Combat Command exercises, demonstrating cutting edge joint and coalition distributed mission operations. "Today's Air Force brings specific capabilities to the joint fight to defend the homeland, deter aggression, help those in need and defend the freedoms we all enjoy," said Colonel McKinzie. "The men and women of the 505th CCW stand tall knowing they have been recognized for ensuring our Air Force continues to fly fight and win in Air, Space, and Cyberspace."