RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03919

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following:

	1) his foreign service time,

	2) the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM), and

	3) the Kuwait Liberation Medal (KLM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 was destroyed in a house fire and the replacement DD Form 214 he received was missing this pertinent information.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 20 Oct 95, according to documents submitted by the applicant, Special Order TE-052 was issued directing the applicant to proceed on or about 02 Nov 95 to Cairo West, Egypt for a Temporary Duty (TDY) of 45 days.

The applicant’s AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSGT), closeout 8 May 96, states, “Displayed outstanding system knowledge and sense of urgency during a ground emergency on aircraft 86-0134 during “Bright Star 95,” a joint U.S. and Egyptian exercise.”

On 04 Nov 96, according to documents submitted by the applicant, Special Order TE-010 was issued directing the applicant to proceed on or about 24 Nov 96 to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia for a TDY of 90 days.

The applicant’s AF Form 910, closeout 8 May 97, states, “Deployed to Alkharj Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of the 4404th War Asset Reconstitution Squadron.”

On 8 Sep 97, the applicant received an honorable discharge and was credited with 4 years of active service to include no foreign service time.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C and Exhibit D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the correction of foreign service time on the applicant’s DD Form 214.

AFPC/DP3SP has completed an administrative correction on the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA).

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the applicant’s request with regard to his decorations since the applicant’s record does not reflect he deployed to the area of eligibility in direct support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM during the awards authorization periods.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is awarded to members of the United States armed forces who served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM in one or more of the following areas from 2 Aug  90 through 30 Nov 95; the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 100 north latitude and west 68 east longitude, as well as the total areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and water) directly supporting combat operations between 17 Jan 91 and 30 Nov 95.  DP3SP is unable to verify the applicant was in the area of eligibility during the award inclusive period for award of the SWASM.  

The Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia is awarded to those members who served in support of Operation DESERT STORM between 17 Jan 91 and 28 Feb 91, in one or more of the following areas: the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman; that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude; Gulf of Aden; or the total area of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Omar, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.  DP3SP is unable to verify the applicant was in the area of responsibility during the award inclusive period for award of the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia.

The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 14 Dec 17 for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant has presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate an error or injustice regarding part, but not all, of his request beyond the administrative relief provided.  While we note AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the applicant’s request for foreign service, the Board observes, in particular, the applicant has provided Special Orders, which coincide with his AF Forms 910 rater’s comments about the applicant’s locations.  The Board finds this evidence sufficient to determine the applicant more likely than not had 90 days foreign service time in Saudi Arabia beginning 24 November 1996 and 45 days in Egypt for 45 days starting on 2 November 1995.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records to the extent indicated below.  Notwithstanding the above, insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant award of the SWASM and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (KLM).  The Board considered the applicant’s deployment to Egypt; however, since the deployment was not in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, but rather a joint U.S. and Egyptian exercise (“Bright Star 95”), the Board found the applicant did not meet the requirements for the SWASM.  Therefore, the Board finds no basis to recommend the relief sought in this portion of his application. 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

	1) He had “boots on ground” in Saudi Arabia for 90 days beginning 24 November 1996 and in Egypt for 45 days starting on 2 November 1995.

	2) His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 8 September 1997, block 12(f), Foreign Service, be amended to show 00 Years, 04 months, and 15 days. 

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-03919 in Executive Session on 30 May 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, received 23 Sep 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 09 Dec 16.
Exhibit D:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, w/atchs, dated 29 Nov 17.
Exhibit E:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 14 Dec 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9 for Docket Number BC-2016-03919.