Misawa receives Installation Excellence Award

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld has announced the winners of the 2005 Commander-in-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Misawa Air Base, Japan, was selected as the Air Force winner.

“This award validates the hard work, commitment and pride of Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and (Japanese) airmen who work together to make Misawa Air Base the best base in the Pacific,” said Brig. Gen. William J. Rew, 35th Fighter Wing commander at Misawa.

Some of Misawa’s efforts include the completion of nine new facilities worth more than $69 million, a massive upgrade of its combat capabilities through the F-16 Fighting Falcon Common Configuration Implementation Program, and its expeditionary combat support of ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I can’t think of an award that brings more prestige and recognition to a base, and I can’t think of more deserving personnel than the men and women of the Misawa Air Base community,” said Col. Michael Bartley, 35th FW vice commander.

The other winners are:

-- Fort Stewart, Ga.

-- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

-- Naval Base Kitsap, Wash.

-- Defense Distribution Depot in San Joaquin, Calif.

This presidential award program was established to recognize outstanding efforts by people in each service who operate and maintain U.S. military installations worldwide. The award recognizes one installation from each service. The five recipients of this highly competitive presidential award were selected for their exemplary support of Department of Defense missions.

Excellent installations allow better mission performance and enhance the quality of life for servicemembers and their families, officials said. Each winning installation succeeded in providing excellent working, housing and recreational conditions, officials said.

The winners will be recognized at a ceremony Aug. 17 in the Pentagon auditorium. (The 35th FW’s public affairs office contributed to this article.)