RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01377 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) and benefits. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He flew numerous missions in direct support of Operation DESERT SHIELD from Aug 90 through Nov 90. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of documents extracted from his military personnel records and a flight plan from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 1 Jun 83, the applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air Force. He was progressively promoted to the grade of captain, having assumed the grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Jun 87. On 28 Nov 90, he was honorably discharged at the completion of his required active service and was credited with 7 years, 5 months, and 27 days of active service. The applicant submitted a request for the SWASM to the National Personnel Record Center (NRPC), and on 6 Oct 09, AFPC/DPAPP informed the applicant they were unable to verify his entitlement to the SWASM. On 19 May 11, AFPC/DPAPP requested the applicant provide documentation, such as, travel vouchers, evaluation reports, letters of evaluation, and decorations to verify his service in Southwest Asia for the period in question. On 20 Aug 11, DPAPP informed the applicant that his DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected to reflect he had 1 month and 21 days of foreign service. In addition, DPAPP was able to confirm his “boots on ground” for a TDY in Saudi Arabia from 22 through 29 Oct 90. The SWASM is awarded to service members of the U. S. armed forces who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM in one or more of the areas of responsibility (AOR) from 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95 in one or more of the following areas: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Emirates. Service members are eligible for the SWASM if they were permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and or shore (military) operations or have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSISR recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. Individuals authorized the SWASM must have served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM in one of the designated areas of operation from 2 August 90 through 30 Nov 95. To be eligible, a service member must be: 1) attached to or regularly serving for one of more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore (military) operations, 2) attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a navy vessel directly supporting military operations, 3) actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas of responsibility, 4) serving on temporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. Those limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations. According to the directorate of assignments, the applicant was TDY in and out of Saudi Arabia between 22 Oct 90 and 29 Oct 90 and is therefore no eligible for the SWASM as he did not complete the requisite 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days TDY in the AOR. The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EALUATION: The applicant has provided copies of two travel vouchers. The first covers the period 22 Sep 90 through 10 Oct 90. However, the locations at the time were confidential and are not listed. The second travel voucher reflects his TDY to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia on 22, 24, 26, and 28 Oct 90. He believes he has established his eligibility based on his participation as a crew member who flew more than one aerial flight in the AOR during a qualifying period. The applicant’s complete responses are at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice warranting award of the SWASM. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we find the evidence presented sufficient to conclude the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided ample documentation substantiating he served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD in the designated Area of Responsibility (AOR). We note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) indicating the applicant is not eligible for the SWASM as there is no evidence he served in the AOR in a TDY status for the requisite 30 consecutive or 60 cumulative days. Nevertheless, we note the criteria also provides that participation as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the AOR qualifies for award of the SWASM. Therefore, in view of the fact the applicant has provided documentation which indicates he deployed to the designated AOR on various occasions as a transiting aircrew member, we believe he is entitled to the requested award. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01377 in Executive Session on 19 Jan 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Mar 11, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 12 Sep 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Oct 11. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Nov 11, w/atchs.