AFSPC vice commander receives space trophy

  • Published
  • By Capt. Johnny Rea
  • Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
LOS ANGELES (AFPN) --  The vice commander of Air Force Space Command is the recipient of the 2006 Gen. Thomas D. White U.S. Air Force Space Trophy.

Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz received the award Nov. 17 during the Air Force Association's National Symposium on Space and Air Force Ball here.

"I'm proud to represent nearly 40,000 space and missile professionals -- the men and women of Air Force Space Command -- deployed around the world, standing watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year," said General Klotz. "Our people know and understand they have a very important mission that contributes greatly to the defense of our nation."

The trophy is awarded for the most outstanding contribution to the nation's progress in aerospace during the calendar year.

Sponsored by the AFA, the trophy was established in 1961 by the late Dr. Thomas W. McKnew, National Geographic Society, to encourage and inspire further conquests of space after the example set by General White. The trophy is on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

During the award period, General Klotz served as the commander of 20th Air Force at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and vice commander of AFSPC, Peterson AFB, Colo.
According to the award citation, General Klotz was in direct command over the operations, maintenance, security and support of the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile force as the 20th AF commander -- consisting of 500 Minuteman III missiles, 21 UH-1N Huey helicopters and more than 9,500 people.

While General Klotz was in command, 20th AF completed deactivation of the Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile; conducted a multi-faceted modernization of the nation's Minuteman III ICBM force, ensuring it remains an effective and secure weapon system through the year 2020 and beyond; and deployed the command's first air expeditionary squadron of 200 people and eight UH-1N helicopters, delivering 26 tons of supplies and support to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"General Klotz has masterfully led the command during a period of transformation of space missions," said Robert E. "Bob" Largent, AFA national chairman of the board, "and inspired the evolution of both the space and missile missions to become responsive and invaluable to warfighters."

Previous recipients of the space trophy include Gen. Richard B. Myers, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff; Mr. Peter B. Teets, former undersecretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office; retired Gen. Lance W. Lord, former commander of AFSPC; Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart, former commander of AFSPC; retired Gen. Howell Estes III, former vice commander of AFSPC; the late Lt. Gen. Roger DeKok, former vice commander of AFSPC; and retired Brig. Gen. Duane Deal, former commander of the 21st Space Wing and Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center.

"It's a great honor and humbling experience to be in such prestigious company as the former recipients," added General Klotz. "It's also an exciting time to be part of America's space and missile team, especially as we approach our command's silver anniversary in 2007."