The Air Force version of the Meritorious Unit Commendation is known as the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award. The award was first created in 2001 and replaced the Outstanding Unit Award as the United States Air Force's equivalent of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The decoration is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Air Force and is considered the unit equivalent to the Legion of Merit. The Gallant Unit Citation is considered senior to the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award. Additional awards of the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award are denoted by oak leaf clusters.