917th Wing earns Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Published Jan. 22, 2010 By Senior Airman Crystal M. Jordan 917th Wing Public Affairs Barksdale Air Force Base, La. -- The 917th Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., under the command of Col. Edmund D. Walker, received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for 2009 on Dec. 29, for their achievements and contributions as an Air Force unit. The AFOUA is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force, currently Mr. Michael B. Donley, to a number of units that set themselves apart with outstanding achievements and exceptional meritorious service. These achievements allowed the 917th WG to rise to the top, earning the accolade. The Barksdale Integrated Command, which includes the 917th WG, earned top honors by receiving Air Force Reserve Command's 2008 Command Post of the Year. The Wing's efforts allowed them to earn top honors at BUFFSMOKE, a local three-day competition here on Barksdale which involves aircrews, maintenance and support personnel. The Unit also received top awards at Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School. The 917th WG has also set a high standard in Total Force Integration process while combining three Reserve units with three Regular Air Force units. During inspections, activations and deployments the 917th Wing established and maintains records of excellence. Accomplishing their mission with a maximum degree of war readiness, the knowledge and skills of 917th personnel contributed to the fulfillment of national objectives. "Everyone in the 917th Wing worked very hard this year to make all of our many endeavors a huge success. They very much deserve this recognition," said Col. Walker. The 917th WG was one of 15 reserve units that received this prestigious award.