VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 30th Space Wing was recently awarded the 2016 General Robert T. Herres Award, recognizing the wing as the Best Wing with a space mission in the Air Force.
The award, last won by Vandenberg in 2000, recognizes the 30th SW’s significant contributions to the space mission, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2016. The annual award is named after General Herres who was the first Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman and former AFSPC commander. He was known for his prudent management of resources and strengthening the operation and managerial structure of the space mission.
“I am very proud of the 30th SW for always getting the mission done despite any adversity that arose along the way,” said Col. J. Christopher Moss, 30th SW commander. “During the period of this award, we launched seven missions delivering $4 billion worth of assets on target; modernized the decades old Western Range communications infrastructure; executed the first booster fly-back; and earned 48 higher headquarters awards. Not to mention, we fought off the largest wildfire in Vandenberg's history, spanning more than 12,500 acres. It was truly a year of notable magnitude.”
Although the award is space focused, it takes into account a multitude of factors, and evaluates the overall performance of the Wing as a whole.
“Graded areas in the award package were mission accomplishments, meritorious achievement or service, and quality initiatives,” said Col. Gregory Wood, 30th SW vice commander. “While Mission Accomplishments are the biggest factor counting for approximately 50 percent of the awards package, our package pulled the best from every group and wing agency to tell a collective story.”
Base leadership attributes the award to the ‘can-do’ attitude that the Wing exudes and demonstrates at every turn, from putting out wildfires to upgrading critical infrastructure.
“I am most proud of the way the men and women of the 30th SW consistently come together to focus on the mission,” said Wood. “I've seen it time and time again; from the Western Range Operations Control Center relocation and range down time last summer, to multiple launch campaigns, to our wildfire responses and recovery efforts. This team has done some amazing work in the few short months I have been here and I am consistently impressed with the ‘can-do’ attitude I see all across the wing. There are a lot of individual achievements that contribute to winning the Herres Award, but those alone are not enough to stand out among our sister wings. This award is a reflection on the mission focus and teamwork exhibited every day by the men and women of the 30th Space Wing.”