Anderson was recognized at the annual Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance awards on Jan. 11, along with recipients of the same honor within their respective branches of the armed service.
“It’s an honor to be selected as the 2018 Navy Missile Defender of the Year,” said L.t. j.g. Anderson. “It’s important to remember that [Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)] is fundamentally a team effort, and I could not have asked for a better team than was onboard USS Porter. The men and women manning Porter’s combat systems are dedicated to meet mission requirements and execute BMD tasking at any time.”
According to the Navy, Anderson “ensured maximum operational readiness during two FDNF-Europe BMD patrols,” and helped train multiple tactical action officers on the USS Porter through 32 training missions.
Anderson was unable to accept the award in person due to operational commitments on the USS Porter. But according to Vice Adm. Dixon Smith, who highlighted his accomplishments, “Anderson became one of the Ballistic Missile Defense watchstanders when Porter along with [USS] Ross launched 56 Tomahawk missiles in 2017.”
Cmdr. John Tobin, a former commanding officer on the USS Porter, accepted the award on Anderson’s behalf.
“As commanding officer we have autonomy to choose our people, and Anderson is the guy you want on your team. I am privileged to be his commanding officer, and privileged to nominate him,” said Tobin.
