2007 Superior Achievement Award

Presented to: Captain Jens D. Lyndrup

Citation: For his superior leadership and significant contributions to the effective combat employment of the United States and Iraq Air Force C-130s as an Instructor Navigator.

While serving as the Operations Military Transition Team (MiTT) chief, 370 Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Baghdad, Iraq, Captain Jens D. Lyndrup led his team of eight advisors to establish the first sustainable in-theater C-130 Flight Training Unit, generating future Iraqi C-130 aircrew. Capt Lyndrup is a C-130 evaluator navigator deployed from Pope Air Force Base, NC.

As the sole navigator advisor to the 23rd Transportation Squadron, Capt. Lyndrup built an initial navigator qualification course to train previous Iraqi Air Force Navigators how to employ the C-130. This formal training program will provide the aircrew necessary to fulfill the crew ratio requirements for three additional C-130s arriving in FY 2008.

As chief evaluator navigator in the 43rd Operations Group Standards and Evaluations office, he distinguished himself as project officer for the 2007 Air Mobility Command Aircrew Standardization and Evaluations Visit (ASEV). For his hard work and attention to detail, the AMC ASEV inspection team awarded "special recognition" to Capt. Lyndrup.

Capt. Lyndrup proved crucial to advancing the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) as 43rd Airlift Wing Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System (JPADS) training program director. His proactive instruction made the Army's requirement for precision airdrop a reality in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Capt. Lyndrup's distinguished combat experience is an example for the many younger navigators he evaluates, instructs, and mentors. His selfless service both with the USAF and advising the Iraqi AF (IqAF) have a daily impact on the strategic success of the GWOT.

Capt. Lyndrup graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.A. in History and later received an M.B.A. from Webster University. Capt. Lyndrup is an airlift navigator who has accumulated over 1,850 flight hours in the C-130E/H, T-43, and T-1 aircraft. After successfully completing Officer Training School in 1999, he began Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.