The 137th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron (137th SOLRS), Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, was named Military Unit of the Year by the Central Oklahoma Gerrity Chapter of the Air Force Association for 2019. 

The annual award is given to units for outstanding performance and service, specifically focusing on the unit’s impact on the U.S. Air Force mission as well as their involvement with their base and local community. 

“I think it is vital to recognize our members for all the hard work, long work hours and community involvement they put forth,” said Oklahoma Air National Guard Lt. Col. Crystal Stiltner, 137th SOLRS commander. “Members of our squadron go above and beyond daily, and this is a way to let them know that we as a wing and a community recognize their efforts.”

Between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2019, the squadron was responsible for executing the deployment of 92 personnel who supported 13 named operations, 15 geographical locations and four different major commands.

During that time, the squadron deployed 1.4 million pounds of cargo, processed 2,750 passengers and distributed 3,545 shipments of inbound cargo, which involved $6.2 million of Department of Defense inventory.

“The 137th SOLRS met every deployment challenge during increased operations and provided global mobility in joint environments,” explained Stiltner.

They also facilitated the execution of $1.2 million of additional end-of-year funding within a less than two-hour window, which provided seven squadrons with mission critical supplies and mobility equipment. 

Additionally, the fuels management flight supported more than 500 sorties and provided $503,000 worth of fuel with zero discrepancies or fuel-related mishaps. 

Outside of their primary duties, Airmen of the 137th SOLRS stepped up as true Citizen Airmen by volunteering more than 120 hours for on and off-base activities as a squadron and by donating more than 500 hours of their time to various community organizations as individuals. 

Two 137th SOLRS Airmen even received individual honors — one receiving an Oklahoma Star of Valor and another receiving the Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal — within the same year for saving lives while off duty.  

“This award reflects the caliber of the Airmen we employ here,” said Stiltner. “They are ready in critical moments to react to life-threatening situations, as two of our members did, to ensure that our deployment operations move successfully, and to provide world class logistical support daily.”