RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02258 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to the Global War on Terrorism Service (GWOT- S) medal (administratively corrected). 2. He be entitled to the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary (GWOT-E) medal. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He is entitled to the GWOT-E for service in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Turkey, and Uzbekistan while serving with the 89th Security Forces Squadron (SFS), 89th Airlift Wing. He is entitled to the GWOT-S for service in Operation Noble Eagle during post 911 airport security operations as a security forces flight commander. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), which mentions Operation Noble Eagle, and other supporting documents. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Air Force, on 10 Jun 00 and was medically retired on 17 Jan 06. He was credited with 3 years, and 6 days of active duty service, including 1 year, 3 months, and 13 days of Foreign Service. For eligibility of the GWOT-E, individuals must have deployed abroad, on or after 11 Sep 01 and a future date to be determined, for service in Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in OEF/OIF and serving for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days (there is no time limit required for nonconsecutive days to be accumulated). Each day that one or more sorties are flown shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement. ________________________________________________________________ THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the GWOT-E medal. DPAPP states the applicant received hazardous duty/imminent duty pay while TDY to Uzbekistan for the month of Dec 2011; however, they are unable to confirm all locations of the applicant’s TDYs and the amount of time served at those locations. The complete DPAPP evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the GWOT-E. DPSIDR states the applicant received Foreign Service credit for Uzbekistan from 1 Dec 2001 through 31 Dec 2001; however, these 30 days presumably include travel time to and from Uzbekistan; therefore falling short of the 30 days minimum requirement. The complete DPSIDR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 16 Dec 11 for review and comment within 30 days. (Exhibit E). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT RESPONDED STATING: His OIF/OEF service in qualifying countries has exceeded GWOT-E duration requirements; however, these missions were masked due their sensitivity. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ 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 warranting relief. The Air Force office of primary responsibility has indicated they are unable to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the GWOT-E although the OPR verified the applicant received Foreign Service credit for Uzbekistan from 1 Dec 2001 through 31 Dec 2001. The OPR noted that the 30 days presumably included travel time to and from Uzbekistan; therefore falling short of the 30 days minimum requirement. However, after carefully reviewing the documentation submitted, we believe the applicant has provided sufficient evidence to support the award of the GWOT-E. In this respect, the applicant contends he served in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Turkey, and Uzbekistan for at least 2-weeks per mission. In support of his request, the applicant provides TDY orders with inclusive dates of 15 Jul 01 to 30 Sep 01, to any point within or outside the US in connection with Special Air Missions aircraft. In view of the above and noting the applicant’s duties while performing Special Air Missions in direct support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE, we believe that he should be awarded the GWOT-E. Accordingly, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for his services in direct support of Operations NOBLE EAGLE. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR BC-2011- 02258 in Executive Session on 7 Feb 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The Board voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2011- 02258: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Jun 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 17 Nov 11, w/atchs. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 2 Dec 11. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Dec 11. Exhibit F. Rebuttal, Applicant, dated 23 Dec 11 w/atchs. Panel Chair AFBCMR BC-2011-02258 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code, it is directed 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 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal for his services in direct support of Operations NOBLE EAGLE. Director Air Force Review Boards Agency