OSI Region 5 receives Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for their work in the European and African theaters

  • Published
  • By Mr. James C. Dillard
  • OSI Public Affairs
OSI HQ QUANTICO, Va. --  The Air Force recently announced that the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Region 5 was selected to receive the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for their work in support of the Air Force mission January 2010 through December 2010.
 
Region 5 was one of only four units selected from the entire Air Force for a 2010 AFOUA.

They are headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and are the single focal point for coordination and execution of OSI worldwide missions, programs, and operations throughout Europe and Africa.

During 2010, Region 5 opened 139 felony criminal and fraud investigations, resulting in 7 indictments, 54 convictions, and more than $110,000 in recoveries; a 5 percent increase in recoveries from 2009.

"Region 5's winning of the AFOUA is a testament to the men and women, agent and support, of Region 5 serving throughout the European and African theaters," said Col. David Denning, Region 5 commander. "Whether supporting in-garrison units at traditional European bases or expeditionary elements on the African continent, our folks continuously demonstrated unparalleled professionalism in executing the OSI mission."

Region 5 personnel conducted expeditionary and in-garrison operations across a two continent area of responsibility providing counterintelligence, force protection, and criminal investigations services. Their work contributed to establishing a safe and secure environment for building partnerships and growing the Air Force mission in the European and African theaters.

"I'm very proud of the people in Region 5," said Chief Master Sgt. W.H. Cottingham Jr., Region 5 superintendent. "Every civilian, local national, active duty and reservist unselfishly works as a team, and receiving the AFOUA is a great recognition of their sacrifice and dedication to mission success. Our Air Force people set the expectation for 'excellence in all we do,' and in Region 5 we are fortunate and honored to be acknowledged for successfully meeting this expectation as a team."

One example of Region 5's work was when the OSI 13th Field Investigations Squadron led a multi-agency international response to convicting a serial child sexual predator. The predator, an active duty Air Force staff sergeant, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

OSI agents assigned to Region 5 units managed numerous investigations and operations in conjunction with host nation counterparts in six countries. As a result of their efforts, they identified and neutralized more than 100 suspected terrorists and criminals, as well as five known terrorist cells.

Colonel Denning gave credit for the AFOUA to both OSI members and the families that support them at home.

"I am also extremely proud of the families of our Region 5 agents and professional staff," Colonel Denning said. "Without their unwavering support every single day, we could have never received this recognition. They absolutely share in this award."