WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today congratulated the 190th Air Refueling Wing for winning the 2009 Distinguished Flying Unit from the National Guard Association of the United States.

"My home state of Kansas has a long tradition of excellent military service," said Brownback. "I'm proud that a Kansas military unit has been singled out among many units to receive this award. The members of the 190th Air Refueling Wing and their families are to be commended for their outstanding service to the nation."

Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas, is home to the 190th Air Refueling Wing. During 2008, the 190th ARW deployed more than 270 unit members for the Global War on Terror. The unit flew hundreds of hours on missions, including monthly Aeromed Evacuations, which returned wounded service members home for recovery. During the summer, the unit airlifted an Army company home after a year in Iraq.