95th Air Base Wing wins Air Force Outstanding Unit award Published Dec. 21, 2011 By Mike Strickler EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 95th Air Base Wing team recently captured the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its many accomplishments between May 2009 and April 2011. The Air Force recognized the wing for exemplary accomplishments while serving as the host wing at the Air Force's second largest installation. Responsible for operating the base comprised of more than 308,000 acres, the wing's efforts assured the success of the missions of the more than 12,500 personnel who work and live on Edwards Air Force Base. Comprised of the 95th Mission Support Group, the 95th Medical Group, the 95th Civil Engineers, and the 95th Wing Staff Agencies, the Justin Knights garnered recognition from the Air Force after earning more than 80 Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command awards within a two-year span. "I am extremely proud of all the accomplishments of our 95th Air Base Wing Airmen -- active duty, reserve, and civilian," said Col. Gregory Schwab, 95th ABW commander. "The impact our Airmen have on the mission and the lives of the Air Force Flight Test Center and our Team Edwards partners from the Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center, Air Force Research Lab, NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and more than 51 organizations at Edwards is amazing! The 95th ABW impact is also global as our Airmen are constantly deployed around the world in support of combat operations. This award recognizes the outstanding work they do each and every day." Many missions within the wing garnered praise from the Air Force. The award-winning Club Muroc was the AFMC Club of the Year for 2009 & 2010. The base library maintained a five-star rating for four years running. The base's educational development center vastly improved the quality of education provided to both adults and children on the base while the Logistics Readiness Division procured funding through Defense Logistics Agency -- Energy to build a new aviation fuels bulk storage facility on the base. The 95th Security Forces Squadron provided bomb dog support to the Global Warfare Symposium in addition to providing tactical control, while deployed, for 37 Airmen under fire, who repelled 21 enemy combatants while protecting more than 30,000 personnel. For their actions in support of the president of the United States, the Secret Service lauded a 95th Security Forces Squadron team, calling it the "best combat security seen in five years." Members of the 95th ABW implemented effective emergency responses to several aircraft incidents during these two years, and their quick and efficient reaction protected more than $10.5 million in Air Force and contract assets. Additionally, they garnered more than $4.4 million for the recovery and clean-up efforts following these incidents, according to the award citation. The 95th ABW also led the Air Force in solar energy development, contracting to build three one-megawatt solar plants that will provide power to the base, reducing the demand for power placed on the local communities. Additionally, the Civil Engineering Directorate is managing an enhanced-use lease for a private 440-Megawatt solar plant, scheduled for 2012, at Edwards AFB. This will be the first large-base solar effort and set a precedent for green energy initiatives with the Air Force. When the Air Force Chief of Staff mandated a semiannual physical fitness testing program, 95th ABW implemented the program five months ahead of schedule. The wing's 97-percent compliance rate, at the time, was the highest in the Air Force, the award cited. The 95th Medical Group also developed a new first-responder's course for hazardous materials incidents, cutting the required training time by 60 percent. "The long list of accomplishments of our Airmen, identified in this award, is a testament to their talent, drive, and determination" Schwab said.