Department of Defense Announces Winners Of the 2018 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards

The awards recognize individuals, teams and installations for their exceptional environmental achievements and innovative, cost-effective environmental practices.  

“By safeguarding the long-term sustainability of our nation’s vital resources, DOD is improving the capabilities of our forces,” said Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

For more than half a century, the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards have annually recognized the extraordinary efforts of service members and civilians across the Department of Defense to protect the environment, human health and the nation’s natural and cultural resources.  Environmental stewardship enables the Department to enhance military readiness capabilities, strengthen alliances and increase efficiencies for greater performance and affordability.  

A diverse panel of 63 judges from federal and state agencies, academia and the private sector evaluated nominations from the DOD components to help determine the winners.

In 2018, DOD selected the following nine winners from 35 nominees:

Natural Resources Conservation, Small Installation: Hawaii Army National Guard –implemented a multifaceted invasive species management program to increase acreage available for training and conserve a unique tropical ecosystem.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Natural Resources Conservation, Individual/Team: Natural Resources Conservation Team, Naval Base Ventura County, Calif. – established programs to support coastal resilience, conserve habitat and species, and reduce costs at its three primary operating facilities.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Environmental Quality, Non-Industrial Installation: Fort Hood, Texas – exceeded Qualified Recycling Program goals by selling 27.2 million pounds of recyclable materials and surpassed water and energy reduction goals by installing a solar photovoltaic array, wind turbines, and water conservation systems.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Environmental Quality, Individual/Team: Frederick A. Javier, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Floa. – provided outstanding leadership by training installation staff on environmental management and engaging with the local community to promote the DOD’s mission and science education.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Sustainability, Industrial Installation: Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. – achieved reductions in electricity and water consumption while partnering with local government to gain cost savings.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Environmental Restoration, Installation: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – completed a 10-year performance-based restoration initiative resulting in response complete or site closure for 44 environmental restoration sites ahead of schedule, and maintained accelerated or on-time closure for 55 additional sites.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Environmental Restoration, Individual/Team: Vieques Environmental Restoration Team, Puerto Rico – implemented successful restoration projects to remove unexploded ordinances and cleanup contaminants while engaging with local partners.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Cultural Resources Management, Large Installation: Camp Ripley, Minnesota Army National Guard – completed an installation-wide record of all archaeological sites that will benefit cultural resources management and reduce impact to critical military operations.  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition, Large Program: Combat Rescue Helicopter Program Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Team, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio – implemented programs to eliminate or reduce exposure to hazardous materials like hexavalent chromium (Cr6+).  For more information, visit: https://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2018secdef/

For more information about the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards Program, including past winners, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards