ICBM, Space and C3I communities honored with Scowcroft awards

by Lt. Col. Andy Roake Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

3/27/2007 – Peterson Air Force Base CO — Top performers in the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and space and communications, command, control and intelligence (C3I) career fields were recently honored at the 18th annual Air Force Association Brent Scowcroft Awards banquet, hosted by the northern Utah chapter of the AFA.

Approximately 500 people gathered at the Eccles Conference Center in Ogden, Utah on March 21 to honor individuals in four categories, and teams in three categories, for their performance in 2006.

Originating in 1989, the Scowcroft awards recognize military and civilian employees from Air Force Space Command and Air Force Materiel Command.

The award is named after Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, a Utah native and national security advisor to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush. His 1980 Scowcroft Commission report reaffirmed America’s need for the ICBM to provide nuclear deterrence.

More than 30 individuals and teams were nominated for the awards. The award winners included:

Individual award winners:

· Capt. Robert A. Hershner, of the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., for excellence in space and C3I acquisition and sustainment.

· 1Lt. Kelly A. Shaw, of the 526th ICBM Systems Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, for excellence in ICBM acquisition and sustainment.

· Senior Master Sgt Shane B. Finders, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., for excellence in ICBM maintenance and logistics.

· Staff Sgt. Miguel Vega, of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., for excellence in space and C3I maintenance and logistics.

Team award winners:

· Range Operations Section, of the 309th Missile Maintenance Group at Hill AFB, Utah, for excellence by a team for ICBM depot level maintenance.

· Safety Enhanced Reentry Vehicle Team, of the 526th ICBM Systems Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, for excellence in ICBM acquisition and sustainment.

· AN/TPS-75 Radar Product Support Team, of the 84th Combat Sustainment Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, for excellence in space and C3I acquisition and sustainment.

Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, Air Force Space Command vice commander, was the keynote speaker at the event.

“Every one of the nominees in the audience tonight has significantly contributed to the advancement of our Nation’s missile, space, and C3I community and it is an honor for me to be here with you. Every one of the nominees is a winner in my book,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Klotz spoke about the relevance and continued importance of the ICBM force and how it remains a vital component of national security.

He stressed the importance of the people who support the nuclear security enterprise on a daily basis.

“The women and men who operate, maintain, secure and support our weapon systems continue to demonstrate the highest standards of technical expertise, professionalism, and devotion to duty…a tradition of excellence that dates back more than four decades,” said Lt. Gen. Klotz.

He then directly addressed the nominees, “That tradition continues with you. Your support ensures that the backbone of U.S. strategic deterrence remains strong. You truly exemplify excellence in all that we do. On behalf of Air Force Space Command and Air Force Materiel Command, I thank all of the nominees for their outstanding work and support of the nation and the ICBM mission.”