DVIDS:
Ten individuals, representing the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and civilian entities, were recognized as Pacific Theater Air and Missile Defenders of the Year for integrated air and missile defense excellence, Sept. 26, 2015, by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance during a ceremony at Waikiki, Hawaii.
“It is terrific to see such a strong show of support for the missile defense community professionals,” said U.S. Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., commander, U.S. Pacific Command. “We get to recognize members of each service who represent the best in leadership in our efforts and our ability, who have demonstrated their commitment to excellence within the missile defense community.”
The individuals were nominated by their peers and commanding officers for the award to recognize their roles in defending our home front, armed forces and allied forces. They represent the best in leadership and personal effort, demonstrating their commitment to excellence in their critical roles as part of air and missile defense.
“It was such an honor to be recognized with this award,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Field, a Pacific Theater Air and Missile Defender of the Year recipient and a sensor control advisor with 14th Missile Defense Battery, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. “It is great to be recognized for our efforts in our field.”
The other Pacific Theater Air and Missile Defenders of the Year for the Army include U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joe Chacon, an assistant operations noncommissioned officer, and U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas O’Neal IV, a sensor manager, both with 10th Missile Defense Battery, 100th Missile Defense Brigade, 94th AAMDC.
The Pacific Theater Air and Missile Defenders of the Year for the Air Force are U.S. Air Force Maj. David Pennington, Jr., the chief strategy guidance team, Strategy Division, 613th Air Operations Center and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Travis Hutts, the Space and Early Warning winner.
The Pacific Theater Air and Missile Defenders of the Year for the Navy include U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Descovich; U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jonathan Lipps, the Achievement in the Pacific winner; and U.S. Navy Fire Controlman First Class Angela La’Vant, the Aegis Ashore winner.
The Pacific Theater Air and Missile Defender of the Year for the Marines is U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Jason Lambert, the future operations officer with Marine Air Control Group 18.
Ed Stikeleather, the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization liaison to U.S. Pacific Command is the Civilian Missile Defense Career Achievement winner.
The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the American public about missile defense issues. The organization was founded in 2002 by Riki Ellison to generate public support for the continued testing, development and deployment of missile defense systems.
