SOG earns outstanding unit award Published Dec. 5, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 27th Special Operations Group earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award recently for the period from Oct. 1, 2006 to Sept. 30, 2008. The wear of the award is authorized for any Airman who, during any portion of the award period, was assigned to the 27th SOG, 73rd Special Operations Squadron, 318th Special Operations Squadron, 3rd Special Operations Squadron, or 27th Special Operations Support Squadron. Airmen assigned to one of the fighter squadrons (the 522nd, 523rd, 524th) when Cannon was an Air Combat Command base are also authorized the award if stationed at Cannon at any time during the award period. "This award underscores the amazing feats accomplished by the 27th SOG Air Commandos during the past two years," said Col. Jim Cardoso, 27th SOG commander. "It is no surprise that the Air Force has recognized the men and women of the 27th SOG this way." Personnel from the 27th SOG flew more than 60,000 hours, about 97 percent of which were in combat, and transported more than 500 passengers and 70,000 pounds of cargo in the support of in-theater operations. "No other operational unit I know of is simultaneously building mission capability and engaging in daily combat operations as this group is," said Colonel Cardoso. Among its many achievements, the group has a flying safety record of zero mishaps in 1259 hours on two new aircraft and supported joint coalition operations and fostered multinational cooperation. In addition, the group has supported Joint Chief of Staff Exercises, conducted its first deployment to the Central Command arena, and transferred UAV operations from Nellis AFB, Nev., to Cannon with no loss in operational capability, the only Predator unit of five to move on schedule. "It is a testament to no single person or unit, but to an entire team of professionals doing amazing work to satisfy our nation's ever-expanding need for mission-focused (Special Operations Forces) aviation," said Colonel Cardoso. "I am proud to be associated with this group, and eagerly anticipate what we're going to accomplish in the future," added the colonel. Personnel officials will conduct mass updates to personnel records system to eligible members still assigned to the group and its subordinate units. Updates should be evident in the Virtual MPF within 60 days. Members no longer assigned to the 27th SOG should contact their local personnel element in order to have the award added to their records.