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Gallant Unit
Citation Ribbon

The Gallant Unit Citation (GUC) is awarded to recognize organizations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force on or after 11 September 2001.
 The GUC, although requiring a lesser degree of gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps than required for the PUC, requires the unit to have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star to an individual.
 Units Eligible for the GUC: The GUC is awarded in the name of the SECAF to units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than a group qualify for the GUC. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a larger number of operational missions, either air or ground, is not sufficient. The unit commander is the recommending official and must have chain of command endorsement (i.e., wing, NAF, Combatant Component CC or CV, MAJCOM CC or CV, 2-Digit Air Staff Director, etc.).
 Individual entitlement is the same as that of the PUC. Refer to AFI 36-2803, paragraph 4.3.2.
 Award Elements: Citation, Certificate, Special Order, and Streamer

Category of Award: Unit Level Award

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Page 110.

Page updated October 26, 2016

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