ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00002-2 

						COUNSEL:  NONE
	
						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Meritorious Unit Award (MUA).

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 15 Sep 15, the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR) considered and denied the applicant’s initial request to make the same corrections to his records.  In the original case, the applicant contended that he was assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron during the inclusive period which the MUA was awarded.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s complete submission and his personnel records, the AFBCMR determined the applicant’s request did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice.  For an accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s original request and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings (ROP), with attachments, at Exhibit F.

On 2 Apr 16, the applicant submitted a request for reconsideration for award of the MUA to the AFBCMR.  The applicant provided additional evidence to include:

	1.  Individual Data Summary, dated 2 Dec 04.

	2.  Flying History Report dated, 2 Dec 04.

	3.  Individual Flight Record Report, pages 3-5, dated 2 Dec 04.

	4.  Special Order G-0306, dated 18 Nov 05.

	5.  Printout out showing award of MUA to 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Air Force Personnel Services website.

	6.  Photograph of the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

7.  Signed affidavit from an Air Force Reserve member stating the applicant was deployed in support of Operations IRAQI/ENDURING FREEDOM (OIF/OEF).

On 9 Jun 17, AFPC/DP3SP determined the applicant was eligible for award of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM) for his service from 27 May 98 to 24 Aug 08.

The MUA is awarded to Air Force active duty, Reserve and Guard units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding achievement or service in direct support of combat operations for at least 90 continuous days during the period of military operations against an armed enemy of the United States on or after 11 Sep 01.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit H.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The Meritorious Unit Award was awarded to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for award inclusive period from 1 Dec 03 to 31 Mar 04; however, the applicant’s official military personnel record and the supporting documentation provided by the applicant indicates his unit of assignment was the 510th Fighter Squadron and not the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.  It cannot be verified that the 510th Fighter Squadron shared in the award of the Meritorious Unit Award or that the applicant was directly assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit I.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant refutes virtually every point made by the OPR and argues that the 510th Fighter Squadron was designated as the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron when the unit was assigned to United States Central Command and deployed in support of OIF.  

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit K.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error.  While we note the comments of AFPC/DP3SP indicating that relief should be denied because the applicant’s records contain no documentation substantiating the applicant’s contention that he was assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for award of the Meritorious Unit Award, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the applicant has provided copies of his Individual Data Summary, Special Order G-0306, a photo of the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, as well as a supporting affidavit from an Air Force Reserve member who was deployed with the applicant indicating that he was assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron during the inclusive period of the award, and we further believe he was assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron assigned to United States Central Command, and deployed in support of OIF.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s 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 Meritorious Unit Award in accordance with Special Order G- 0306, inclusive period 1 December 2003 to 31 March 2004.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00002-2 in Executive Session on 24 Aug 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00002-2 was considered:

	Exhibit F.  Original ROP, dated 23 Oct 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit G.  DD Form 149, dated 2 Apr 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit H.  Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit I.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 9 Jun 17.
	Exhibit J.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 18 Jul 17.
	Exhibit K.  Applicant Rebuttal, dated 15 Aug 17.
Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.