Dover Air Force Base wins Installation Excellence Award

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Melissa Phillips
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover Air Force Base is the Air Force winner of the 2008 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence, the Department of Defense announced today. 

"This award validates Team Dover's continuous commitment to full-spectrum excellence, and further demonstrates that the Eagle and Liberty Wings are 'America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team," said Col. Steven B. Harrison, 436th Airlift Wing commander at Dover AFB. 

Some of Team Dover's efforts include opening a state-of-the-art Air Freight Terminal, which increased cargo capacity and efficiency by 50 percent and enabled faster support to the warfighter. The base was also recognized as a leader in housing privatization and was named the Air Force's Outstanding Housing Installation Team - Privatized Location. 

Team Dover was highlighted for its increased efficiency using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century and served as a benchmark for the U.S. Air Force and foreign air forces. Additionally, Dover AFB implemented a seamless stand-up and transition of two C-17 squadrons, which resulted in mission capable aircraft within 40 days of delivery. 

"Winning this award highlights the dedication and commitment of Team Dover's men and women and their support of the Air Force mission, allowing our nation her sovereign options," said Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th AW commander. 

The 512th AW has been an associate unit here since 1973.  Liberty Wing reservists work side-by-side 436th AW members in fulfilling the mission, maintaining and flying the C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III. 

The Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations. 

The five recipients of this highly competitive Presidential award were selected for their exemplary support of Department of Defense missions. The other winning installations are Fort A. P. Hill, Bowling Green, Va.; Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Calif.; Naval Base Coronado, San Diego, Calif.; and Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Va. 

The award winners were chosen due to their excellent practices, which better enable mission performance and enhance the quality of life for military men and women and their families, said DoD officials. Each winning installation succeeded in providing excellent working, housing and recreational conditions, and was identified as making the most efficient use of the resources provided in order to further the unit's mission.
The base competed against 117 wings throughout the Air Force to win the $1 million in quality of life funds. 

The windfall from the award will go towards making quality of life improvements that will benefit a majority of the base's extended population, said Colonel Harrison.
These projects include updating the base theater, improvements to the base running track as well as the addition of jogging trails and installing specialized crosswalk lighting at three of the base's busiest crosswalks. 

"This is a big achievement for Dover Air Force Base," said Colonel Harrison. "In the 23-year history of the award, none of the 12 bases in Air Mobility Command have ever won the award. 

"It's a tremendous testament to criticality of our mission, the excellence with which it is performed, and the quality of the men and women of Team Dover--active duty, Reserve, civil service civilians, and our many team partners including the Dover community, our congressional delegation, contracting partners, and sister service and other governmental agencies," said Colonel Harrison. "Ultimately, Dover AFB's excellence is a reflection of the support it receives from our local community. We thank you all so much for your tireless backing of our Airmen and our role in the nation's defense."
 
The 2008 Commander in Chief's Award ceremony is scheduled for May 8 at the Pentagon.