Not your average test drive

Members of the 148th Fighter Wing, board a C-17 bound for Tyndall Air Force Base, FL. from Duluth Minn. to participate in training exercise Combat Archer January 22, 2010. Combat Archer will be the first operational test of the new Block 50 F-16 Falcons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Acton/released)

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A crew chief from the 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn. guides an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot to a stop during an operational readiness exercise. The exercise was designed to refamiliarize Airmen with Force Protection Conditions, Mission Oriented Protection Postures and for members to perform the mission while wearing the Chemical Protective Overgarment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Hayes.)

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Members of the 148th Fighter Wing participate in an Operational Readiness Exercise June 11, 2011. The exercise was designed to refamiliarize Airmen with Force Protection Conditions, Mission Oriented Protection Postures and for members to perform the mission while wearing the Chemical Protective Overgarment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Hayes.)

148th Fighter Wing to receive national award

Published April 15, 2012
By 2nd Lt. Jodi Kiminski
148th FW

Duluth, MINN. -- The 148th Fighter Wing will be awarded the 2012 Air Force Association (AFA) Outstanding Air National Guard Flying Unit Award (AFOUA). The award was announced by the Director of the Air National Guard, Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III.

"This is the third time the 148th has been selected for this award which is given to the overall best Air National Guard flying unit," said 148th Fighter Wing Executive Officer, Air Force Maj. Audra A. Flanagan.

The 148th previously earned the award in 2006 and 2009.

This prestigious award will be given to the Wing for its many accomplishments in 2011 to include safely accomplishing three large scale flying training deployments in support of the Wing's major aircraft conversion, deploying 73 personnel to 12 overseas countries, being recertified for OSHA's Volunteer Protection Program "Star Status," and supporting state and local events such as wild fires and floods in western Minnesota.

In addition, the Wing earned an outstanding performance in four Air Force Inspections and maintained exceptional execution of its Aerospace Control Alert mission.

The AFA is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization that promotes public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposium and disseminates information through outreach programs, sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs.

Members of the 148th will travel to Washington, D.C. in September for the formal presentation of the award.