Air Force official announces acquisition award winners

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AFNS) --  Air Force Service Acquisition Executive David Van Buren announced the winners of the 2010 Acquisition Leadership and Transformation Awards March 9 at the Acquisition Leadership Forum here.

The awards recognize Air Force individuals and organizations that have exhibited outstanding performance in executing the Air Force acquisition mission.

Mr. Van Buren expressed his appreciation to the award recipients for their leadership and business skills in delivering new and improved capabilities to the warfighter.

"We're pleased to have the opportunity to announce these Air Force-level awards during the Acquisition Leadership Forum," he said. "These awards recognize individuals and teams for their leadership in improving acquisition processes and for their skill in acquisition program management."

The Acquisition Leadership Forum is a high-level meeting dedicated to improving how Air Force officials develop and maintain the capabilities with which the nation fights.

Secretary of the Air Force acquisitions officials host this event for senior civilian and military acquisition and sustainment officials and program managers.

Mr. Van Buren also highlighted the life of John J. Welch Jr., who served as the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition from 1987 to 1992.

"The John J. Welch Jr. Excellence in Acquisition Leadership Award is our most prestigious award," he said. "Sadly, the award's namesake passed last October. The contributions Mr. Welch made to the Air Force will be remembered by those recognized for exemplifying his spirit of excellence and leadership."

Recipients of the fiscal 2010 awards are:

-- John J. Welch Jr., Excellence in Acquisition Leadership Award: SP-50 Team, 661st Aeronautical Systems Squadron-OL/SP; 645th Aeronautical Systems Group; Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate; Aeronautical Systems Center; Centennial, Colo.

-- Agile Acquisition Transformation Leadership Award (Team): Advanced Targeting Pod-Sensor Enhancement Team, Combat Electronics Division, Agile Combat Support Directorate, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

-- Agile Acquisition Transformation Leadership Award (Individual): Maj. James J. Parslow, Warfighter Segment Branch, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C.

-- Outstanding System Program Office: Big Safari System Program Office; 645th Aeronautical Systems Group; Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate; Aeronautical Systems Center; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

-- Outstanding System Program Director (Military): Col. Michael Andersen, Air Dominance Division, Armament Directorate, Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.

-- Outstanding Air Force Program Manager (Civilian):  Holly Reedy, Aerial Targets Branch, Test and Training Systems Division, Armament Directorate, Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.

-- Outstanding Air Force Program Manager (Military):  Lt. Col. Kevin Massie, E-8 Re-engining Branch, Aerial Ground Surveillance Systems Division, Battle Management Directorate, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass.

-- Outstanding Air Force Project Manager (Civilian): Kathryn Fuszner, Aerial Targets Branch, Test and Training Systems Division, Armament Directorate, Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.

-- Outstanding Air Force Project Manager (Military): Capt. David Wright, Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, Ground Moving Target Indicator Quick Reaction Capability Team, Aerial Ground Surveillance Systems Division, Battle Management Directorate, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass.

-- Outstanding Air Force Acquisition Staff Officer (Military): Lt. Col. Owen D. Stephens, F-35 Fighter Branch, Air Dominance Division, Directorate of Global Power Programs, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.