RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00563 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Armed Forces 
Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

While serving as an Airborne Warning and Control Squadron (AWACS) 
crew member, he was involved in the extraction of Manuel Noriega 
from Panama during Operation JUST CAUSE and logged 7.4 combat 
support hours during the mission. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty 
and a Flying History Report. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects he served on active duty 
from 23 Oct 87 through 24 Feb 90. He is credited with two years, 
four months and two days of active service. 

 

On 22 Feb 10, AFPC/DPAPP informed the applicant that his 
participation on 3 Jan 90 in support of Operation Just Cause was 
confirmed and his records would be administratively corrected to 
reflect one day of foreign service. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the applicant is 
not eligible for the AFEM because he was not in the area of 
eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days and in 
direct support of Operation JUST CAUSE. The DOD Manual 1348.33M, Manual of Military Awards and Decorations, states the AFEM after 
1 Jul 58 was authorized to any service member of the United 
States Armed Forces for U.S. military operations. The 


participating service members must have served at least 30 
consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in the qualifying 
operation. 

 

DPSIDR further notes the AFEM is awarded for service in Panama 
from 20 Dec 89 to 31 Jan 90 in support of Operation JUST CAUSE. 
Designated aircrew members who participated in actual air 
operations outside of the Continental Unites States (CONUS) 
including aerial refueling, combat air patrol, and airborne 
warning and control in direct support of the military Operation 
JUST CAUSE, are also authorized award of the AFEM. 

 

The complete HQ AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
12 Mar 10 for review and comments within 30 days. As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office. 

 

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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 an injustice. We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and the 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
(OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion 
that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof of 
the existence 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. 

 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that 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-2009-00563 in Executive Session on 27 Apr 10, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Feb 09, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 26 Feb 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Mar 10. 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair