DoD: Elmendorf AFB best installation in the Air Force for 2010

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  • HQ/PACAF Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, Hawaii --  Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, won recognition as the top Air Force base with the announcement Apr. 9 of the Department of Defense's 2010 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

A team of inspectors visited Elmendorf Jan. 27-30, as the base competed in the final round against Dover AFB. They examined how the command uses its resources to complete the mission, and innovations both in mission effectiveness and support for Airmen assigned there. After two months of reviewing data collected at both bases, the selection team awarded Elmendorf top billing--and $1 million to fund quality of life improvement programs.

"This is a wonderful recognition for Elmendorf Air Force Base and the 3rd Wing and truly is no surprise to anyone familiar with the Arctic Warriors, their superb spirit and pride in their mission" said Gen. Gary North, commander, Pacific Air Forces. "The leadership and mission effectiveness they demonstrate every day resulted not only their receiving the honor and title as the best of the best in our Air Force for 2010, but it also brings the award of $1 million to be used by the wing commander in support of wing personnel, infrastructure and programs."

This is the sixth time a PACAF base has won this award in its 26-year history, highlighting once again the dedication and excellence of those who serve in this region, added General North.

Kadena Air Base, Japan, won the first-ever award, in 1985. Since then, PACAF bases have been recognized in 1994 (Elmendorf AFB), 1999 (Hickam AFB), 2000 (Kunsan AB), and 2005 (Misawa AB).

"Winning this award recognizes an effective installation team, and rewards them with additional funding to improve the lives of those who make the PACAF mission happen," said Col. Karl Bosworth, director installations and mission support, HQ PACAF. "The extra effort our bases put into this competition allows local leaders to pursue improvements that pay off."

PACAF can be very proud of four installation excellence wins over the past 11 years, he said.

"The men and women of Elmendorf Air Force Base are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious award," said Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander. "We could not have won this without the outstanding support we receive from PACAF HQ, our major tenant units, and the great Alaskan community. This award reflects the superb efforts of almost 6000 Arctic Warrior Airmen and our TFI partners from the Alaska Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. Together we fly, fight and win!"

Key factors in this year's recognition included sustainment of the base's combat alert mission despite no-notice evacuation of aircraft during 19 eruptions of Mount Redoubt. Other accomplishments included the new Fit to Fight Cross Country Ski Program and the 3rd Medical Group's sleep disorder clinic, which completed 414 studies saving the government $1.6 million in seven months.

The quality of life money comes at a key time, as the base prepares for the activation of the 673rd Air Base Wing, which will merge installation management of Elmendorf and Ft. Richardson as a joint base.

Other service winners for 2010 included Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in Twentynine Palms, Calif., Naval Base San Diego in San Diego and the Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna in New Cumberland, Pa.

An awards ceremony honoring this year's recipients will be held May 5 at the Pentagon.