RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03833 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: Not Indicated APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM and was deployed to Incirlik, Turkey between Jan 90 and Apr 90. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 2 Oct 85. On 1 Dec 94, the applicant was discharged honorably, and was credited with nine years and two months of active service. 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 C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The SWASM, authorized by Executive Order 12754, 12 Mar 91, is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM, between the period 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95, in one or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, and the land 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. To be eligible, a service member must have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated, or have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The applicant's Air Force Commendation Medal covering 9 May 89 to 1 June 91 states the applicant deployed twice to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in 1989; however, these deployments are prior to the start of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM and prior to the award inclusive period of the SWASM. There was no official documentation located in the applicant’s military personnel records to show he was deployed to Turkey in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM during the inclusive period for the SWASM; therefore, the applicant’s entitlement could not be verified. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) was also unable to verify the applicant received Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger pay for Turkey during the qualifying period of the SWASM. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 23 Feb 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 an 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material 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-2014-03833 in Executive Session on 14 May 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03833 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Sep 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID dated 12 Dec 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Feb 15.