Criteria: Awarded to U.S. Air Force internal organizations functioning as entities within larger organizations. They are unique, unnumbered functioning organizations performing activities normally performed by numbered wings, groups, squadrons, etc. The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award is a decoration of the United States Air Force and is the lowest ranking unit award. The decoration was first created in 1969. Additional awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters attached to the ribbon. Additionally, for those units presented the decoration for combat operations - and or direct combat support - the valor device may also be authorized.

Note: This unit citation ribbon is one of the few awards issued by the military as a ribbon only. There is no accompanying medal.