Ramstein wins CINC Installation Excellence Award

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Erin Dorrance
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  Brig. Gen. Robert C. Kane, 86th Airlift Wing and Kaiserslautern Military Community commander, announced April 6 that Ramstein won the 2006 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence, saying the base is "truly the biggest, busiest and best in the U.S. Air Force."

“I’ve known it for a long time, but throughout 2005 you definitely proved it … Ramstein is the premier base in the Air Force,” General Kane said.

This was the first time Ramstein has won the award, said Lt. Col. Michael Marra, CINC Installation Excellence co-project officer along with Lt. Col. Tom Joyce. The base will receive $1 million as a first-place prize for the award, which recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain military installations. The base will also receive a special trophy and flag in recognition of this accomplishment.

Ramstein has deployed nearly 100,000 U.S. and coalition partners on more than 2,100 combat, security and stability, and humanitarian missions. Additionally, Ramstein fosters a family-friendly installation for more than 53,000 Americans living in the Kaiserslautern Military Community.

“This was a total Team Ramstein effort,” Colonel Joyce said. “Not only did the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Base Wing wow the installation excellence selection board, but so did the base’s major tenants, including the 723rd Air Mobility Squadron, CC-Air and our (Department of Defense Dependent Schools). It’s been a great experience.”

Along with Ramstein, four other military installations were awarded the CINC Installation Excellence award for being the best in their service: 

--Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field, Hinesville, Ga. 

--Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma, Ariz. 

--Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Wash. 

--Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna, Harrisburg, Penn.

The award focuses on identifying outstanding processes and programs and innovative improvements. The winning installations each succeeded in providing excellent working, housing and recreational conditions for their members.

Representatives from each installation will attend the 2006 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award ceremony May 5 at the Pentagon.