171st Awarded AFA AFOUA Published Oct. 12, 2011 By Capt. Dicie Hritz 171st Public Affairs Sept. 2011 -- The 171st Air Refueling Wing won the 2011 Air Force Association (AFA) Outstanding Air National Guard Flying Unit Award (AFOUA). The competition was extremely competitive within the Air Force units who submitted for the award. A group of nine unit members from the 171st ARW attended the awards ceremony Sept. 17, 2011 to represent the unit and to accept the award along with Brig. Gen. Uptegraff, 171 Air Refueling Wing Commander. The week was rounded off by many key Air Force leadership presentations and panels on various topics across the Air Force. The AFA is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposium and disseminates information through outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs. AFA presents scholarships and grants to Air Force active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members and their dependents; and awards educator grants to promote science and math education at the elementary and secondary school level.