19th Airlift Wing wins historical Doolittle Award

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Amanda Porter
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The 19th Airlift Wing will be presented the James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle Award Oct. 8, 2014, at 4 p.m. at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

The Doolittle Award is presented by the Air Force Historical Foundation (AFHF) to a U.S. Air Force unit for significant contributions to airpower history.

Named after aviation pioneer James H. Doolittle, this award was established to recognize a unit that has displayed bravery, determination, discipline, "esprit de corps" and superior management of joint operations in multiple conflicts.

The 19th Airlift Wing roots extend back before World War II, when it was one of the original 15 groups that made up U.S. Army Air Corps aviation. Formerly the 19th Bombardment Group, the unit launched the first offensive attack against Japanese forces in World War II despite having suffered heavy losses in the fighting following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In its 82 years of service, the 19th AW has fulfilled nearly every flying role in the Air Force, from seaplanes and biplane bombers to the advanced C-130J transport. In World War II, Korea, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf and the Global War on Terror, the 19th AW has flown, fought and won with the motto: "In Alis Vincimus"--On wings we conquer!

Several other awards will be presented at the AFHF Banquet at the Sheraton Pentagon City in Arlington. The General Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz Award will be presented to General Lloyd W. Newton, USAF (Ret). The Major General I. B. Holley Award will be presented to Colonel Walter J. Boyne, USAF (Ret).

The Air Force Historical Foundation was founded May 27, 1953. The mission of the AFHF is the promotion, preservation and understanding of the history and heritage of the U.S. Air Force and its predecessors.

The event is open to the public. Visit www.afhistoricalfoundation.org or call the AFHF at (301) 736-1959 for more details on the event or the awards. For more information on the 19th Airlift Wing, call the base public affairs office at (501) 987-3434.