RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01377 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Southwest Asia 
Service Medal (SWASM) and benefits. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He flew numerous missions in direct support of Operation DESERT 
SHIELD from Aug 90 through Nov 90. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of 
documents extracted from his military personnel records and a 
flight plan from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 1 Jun 83, the applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air 
Force. He was progressively promoted to the grade of captain, 
having assumed the grade effective and with a date of rank of 
1 Jun 87. On 28 Nov 90, he was honorably discharged at the 
completion of his required active service and was credited with 7 
years, 5 months, and 27 days of active service. 

 

The applicant submitted a request for the SWASM to the National 
Personnel Record Center (NRPC), and on 6 Oct 09, AFPC/DPAPP 
informed the applicant they were unable to verify his entitlement 
to the SWASM. 

 

On 19 May 11, AFPC/DPAPP requested the applicant provide 
documentation, such as, travel vouchers, evaluation reports, 
letters of evaluation, and decorations to verify his service in 
Southwest Asia for the period in question. On 20 Aug 11, DPAPP 
informed the applicant that his DD Form 214 will be 
administratively corrected to reflect he had 1 month and 21 days 
of foreign service. In addition, DPAPP was able to confirm his 


“boots on ground” for a TDY in Saudi Arabia from 22 through 
29 Oct 90. 

 

The SWASM is awarded to service members of the U. S. armed forces 
who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM 
in one or more of the areas of responsibility (AOR) from 2 Aug 90 
and 30 Nov 95 in one or more of the following areas: Iraq, 
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United 
Emirates. Service members are eligible for the SWASM if they 
were permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more 
days with an organization participating in ground and or shore 
(military) operations or have served on temporary duty for 30 
consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSISR recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence 
of an error or injustice. Individuals authorized the SWASM must 
have served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM 
in one of the designated areas of operation from 2 August 90 
through 30 Nov 95. To be eligible, a service member must be: 1) 
attached to or regularly serving for one of 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 (TDY) 
for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. Those limitations 
may be waived for people participating in actual combat 
operations. 

 

According to the directorate of assignments, the applicant was 
TDY in and out of Saudi Arabia between 22 Oct 90 and 29 Oct 90 
and is therefore no eligible for the SWASM as he did not complete 
the requisite 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days TDY in the 
AOR. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EALUATION: 

 

The applicant has provided copies of two travel vouchers. The 
first covers the period 22 Sep 90 through 10 Oct 90. However, 
the locations at the time were confidential and are not listed. 
The second travel voucher reflects his TDY to Dhahran, Saudi 
Arabia on 22, 24, 26, and 28 Oct 90. 

 


He believes he has established his eligibility based on his 
participation as a crew member who flew more than one aerial 
flight in the AOR during a qualifying period. 

 

The applicant’s complete responses are 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice warranting 
award of the SWASM. After a thorough review of the evidence of 
record and the applicant’s complete submission, we find the 
evidence presented sufficient to conclude the applicant has been 
the victim of an error or injustice. In this respect, we note 
the applicant has provided ample documentation substantiating he 
served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD in the designated 
Area of Responsibility (AOR). We note the comments of the Air 
Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) indicating the 
applicant is not eligible for the SWASM as there is no evidence 
he served in the AOR in a TDY status for the requisite 30 
consecutive or 60 cumulative days. Nevertheless, we note the 
criteria also provides that participation as a crew member in one 
or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in 
the AOR qualifies for award of the SWASM. Therefore, in view of 
the fact the applicant has provided documentation which indicates 
he deployed to the designated AOR on various occasions as a 
transiting aircrew member, we believe he is entitled to the 
requested award. Therefore, 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was 
awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-01377 in Executive Session on 19 Jan 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Mar 11, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Military Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 12 Sep 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Nov 11, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair