RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00775 COUNSEL: HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He meets the requirements for the SWASM having served at Pirinclik Air Station, Turkey, from September 1989 to August 1990. In support of his request, the applicant provides which appears to be the criteria for the SWASM. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 22 April 1980 and retired voluntarily on 30 June 1995 under the provisions of AFI 36-3203 (Temporary Early Retirement Authority). He served 15 years, 2 months and 9 days on active duty. In accordance with the DoD 1348.33M, C.6.7, individuals authorized the SWASM must have served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM in one or more of the areas of responsibility (AOR) from 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995; the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 100 N latitude and west 680 E longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and waters) directly supporting combat operations between 17 January 1991 and 30 November 1995 shall also be eligible for award of the SWASM. To be eligible, a Service member must be: 1) attached to or regularly serving for one or 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 for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states according to source documentation located in the applicant’s military record, he served as a Satellite Communications Electronics Maintenance Technician at Pirinclik Air Station, Turkey from 1 November 1989 to 7 August 1990. The applicant is ineligible for entitlement to the SWASM as he did not serve in Turkey between 17 January 1991 and 30 November 1995. The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reviewed the evaluation and states he believes he is entitled to the SWASM. His service and support was directly related to all areas military readiness and support of threats in air and space operations for hundreds of miles around Iraq. The applicant's complete response, with attachments, is 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00775 in Executive Session on 30 September 2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00775 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 February 2010, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Record. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 7 April 2010. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 April 2010. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, not dated, w/atchs.