FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – For only the second time Fairchild Air Force Base has been named a finalist for the Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award according to a recent press release.
The award was created in 1985 under President Ronald Reagan, and “is awarded to the best installation in every department under the Department of Defense, to include the United States Air Force,” according to the same release.
Officials said “as a finalist Fairchild will receive a cash prize of $750,000 to fund innovative projects and quality-of-life improvements across the base for our airmen. If they become the only Air Force finalist, they will receive an additional $500,000.”
The award is meant to encourage and reward the positive and creative ways that facilities improve the quality of life and enhance services.
“Airmen are our number one priority and greatest asset,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Cassius Bentley, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander in the press release. “This has been a very busy year for Team Fairchild, and it is incredibly rewarding to see the Airmen’s collective efforts being recognized through this prestigious nomination.”
Col. Bentley added, “Their commitment to excellence and innovation are unmatched and they have all set the standard for superior performance across the Command and making Fairchild the premier Super Tanker Wing in the Air Force.”
Different installations compete for the award in multiple areas including installation management, mission support, energy conservation, quality of life and unit morale, environmental stewardship, real property management, safety, health and security, communications, and public affairs.
Fairchild was nominated because of a fruitful year in terms of implementing refueling missions worldwide while also participating in some major events such as Fairchild’s minimal interval take-off of 20 refuelers.
Fairchild also participated in the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Arctic air defense exercise and helped support two large international airshows.
According to the press release Fairchild has worked to build local partnerships and officials said, “Fairchild has also made massive strides in fostering a flourishing relationship with the local community and its leaders, and has earned recognition by military and non-military agencies alike. Fairchild made history as the first military installation to initiate an agreement with local Minor League Baseball team the Spokane Indians, known as Operation Fly Together, earning them MiLB’s Organization of the Year Award.”
Fairchild’s award selection review will be conducted in person January 17 and 18, where board members will travel to Fairchild and inspect and assess the base to see if Department of Defense objectives have been met.
In the press release officials also said, “The Installation Excellence Award winner will receive an overall $1.25 million prize. Each winning installation will receive a commemorative trophy, flag, and congratulatory letter from the president.”
Ramstein Air Base in Germany is the other Air Force finalist, and the Air Force is scheduled to announce the winner in late March.
Matthew can be reached at [email protected]
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