30th CES receives DOD level award

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Archeologists from 30th Civil Engineer Squadron Cultural Resources Management team, Kelli Brasket, Dr. James Carucci, Bob Peterson and Christopher Ryan, pose in front of the Advanced Ballistic Missile Re-Entry Systems site here. The gantry is the last one left in the world, and was also where the first nuclear-armed Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile went on alert in North America. (Courtesy photo)

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30th CES receives DOD level award

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Dr. James Carucci, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron archaeologist, shows base member information on the boathouse revitalization project during an Earth Day event here Wednesday, April 18, 2012. More than 25 base and local organizations participated in this environmental awareness campaign. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran)

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30th CES receives DOD level award

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Vandenberg archeologists and Mission La Purisma state park personnel help build a traditional Chumash Tule Hut at the La Purisma State Park. Vandenberg is home to more than 15 historic Native American villages. (Courtesy photo)

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30th CES receives DOD level award

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A reconstructed traditional Chumash Tule Hut stands for visitors to see in Mission La Purisma State Park near Vandenberg. Vandenberg archaeologists and mission personnel collaborated to procure the materials and construct the hut. (Courtesy photo)

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30th CES receives DOD level award

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Window Cave, a sacred Chumash Indian site, was overgrown by trees and brush. When 30th Civil Engineer Squadron archaeologists cleared the brush, for the first time in about 15 years the sun once again shines into the cave during the Winter Solstice, casting a beam of light onto a sun-sign petroglyph. (Courtesy photo)

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30th CES receives DOD level award

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Col. Richard Boltz, former 30th Space Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Angelica Johnson, former 30th SW command chief, help Vandenberg archaeologists and Chumash Tribal members excavate a site here. Vandenberg is home to more than 118 historical archeological sites. (Courtesy photo)

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30th CES receives DOD level award

Published May 2, 2012
By Jennifer Green-Lanchoney
30th Space Wing Public Affairs

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - -- Department of Defense Officials announced May 1 that the 30th Civil Engineer Cultural Resources Management flight won a 2012 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award.

The Secretary of Defense has honored individuals, teams and installations for their outstanding achievements to conserve and sustain the natural and cultural resources entrusted to the Department of Defense since 1962. Team V won at the installation level.

"We are delighted and honored to represent the Air Force, Air Force Space Command and the 30th Space Wing within the Secretary of Defense Environmental Excellence Awards program," said Christopher Ryan, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron Cultural Resources Management Flight team lead.

Vandenberg is home to more than 1600 prehistoric archaeological sites and historical resources including 118 historical archeological sites ranging from historic Chumash villages to the site of the nation's first Intercontinental ballistic missile to be put on active alert.

"It's great to be recognized for our accomplishments over the last three years, but we share that recognition with many other people, like the 30th CES horizontal shop, the 30th CES Hot Shots, our contractors, the Chumash Tribe, base command and others," said Ryan.

Members of the cultural resource management flight are charged with protecting and conserving not only prehistoric archaeological sites, but also historical archaeological sites, an archaeological district, 14 rock art sites, five historic Chumash villages, 26 Cold War era complexes with more than 70 facilities, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail and the Space Launch Complex-10 National Historic Landmark.

"It's gratifying to invest lots of effort into historic preservation projects, get support from the commander, and see those types of projects come to fruition," said Dr. James Carucci, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron historic archeologist.

The flight previously received this award in 2009. The Award will be presented in a ceremony at the Pentagon June 6.