114th Fighter Wing awarded 2015 Maj. Gen. John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy and the Distinguished Flying Unit Plaque

NASHVILLE, TN. - -- Senior leaders of the South Dakota Air National Guard were on hand in Nashville, Tenn. to receive the 2015 Distinguished Flying Unit Plaque and the 2015 Maj. Gen. John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy during the National Guard Association of the United States annual conference held September 22, 2015.

The Distinguished Flying Unit Plaque is awarded to the five highest-rated Air National Guard flying units annually.  The award is based on overall combat readiness and the unit's performance with respect to all other Air Guard units.  Factors included in the evaluation are flying safety; aircraft operation readiness; weapons firing; unit alerts; unit manning; skill level qualifications; retention; drill attendance; operational readiness inspections; outstanding accomplishments and special missions and exercises.

The Maj. Gen. John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy is presented annually to two flying units judged to have demonstrated the highest standards of flight safety.

Both awards reflect the commitment and dedication of the South Dakota Air National Guard unit members and are added to a long list of accomplishments the unit completed in 2015.

This is the fifth time the unit has received the Distinguished Flying Unit Plaque and the fourth time they have received the Maj. Gen. John J. Pesch Flight Safety Trophy in the unit's almost 70 year history.