Dover manager garners DOD antiterrorism award Published Sept. 27, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFPN) -- A Dover Air Force Base employee was recently named the Department of Defense Best Antiterrorism Program Manager for 2007. Michael Mendoza of the 436th Airlift Wing earned the DOD-level recognition for surpassing the antiterrorism-management capabilities of every other U.S. military installation in the world. Mr. Mendoza was responsible for the procurement of several million dollars worth of undisclosed security and detection systems, hardening measures and planning and conducting full-scale antiterrorism exercises at Dover AFB. "Mr. Mendoza's recognition as being the very best -- best in Air Mobility Command, best in the Air Force and best in the Department of Defense -- is particularly rewarding from my perspective because it shows our entire base's commitment to securing the base, its assets, and its people," said Col. Steven Harrison, the 436th AW commander. "Lives and mission are at stake. Who doesn't want to be the very best at that?" "There is no higher calling, than the protection of life," Mr. Mendoza said. "Our nation is engaged in a war on terrorism and we must continue study terrorists' tactics, refine our security and response plans, and prepared our forces to handle new and emergent threats. The attacks on Sept. 11 have globalized terrorism and have forced us to take proactive security measure to protect and preserve our way of life." "Force protection is everyone's responsibility," he said. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page