Presidential award recognizes best installations Published April 9, 2010 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, as one of the five winners of the 2010 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence April 9 here. 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. Elmendorf AFB, under the command of Col. Thomas Bergeson, was recognized for being the first installation to implement a Veterans Affairs itemized billing process, serving as a model for others, while also executing the largest construction program in base history last year. Elmendorf AFB's hospital was rated best in the Air Force for the second consecutive year, and it was named as having Pacific Air Forces' best environmental program, officials said. Installation excellence enables better mission performance and enhances the quality of life for military men and women and their families. Each winning installation succeeded in providing excellent working, housing and recreational conditions. The other installations recognized were Fort Bragg, N.C., Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Naval Base San Diego, and Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna, Pa. For more information about the winners and the installation excellence award, go to http://www.defense.gov/installationexcellence2010.