Commander, Navy Region Southeast, Rear Adm. Wesley McCall, announced in a November message that Naval Air Station Whiting Field was the region’s top pick in the small installation category for nomination to the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) FY-23 Installation Excellence Award program.
Leaders from across the Navy Installations Command enterprise recently reviewed the nominations and selected finalists for the competition, which recognizes the top three installations, large and small category for outstanding performance during fiscal year 2022.
Vice Adm. Yancy Lindsey, CNIC, announced last week that NAS Whiting Field took second place in the small shore category, behind Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa.
The award lauds the top Navy commands at shore for their installation management, program excellence and community outreach. Installations are graded across a number of key areas including: facilities management, quality of life, environment, energy, property stewardship, communication, safety and health as well as many other categories. Each entrant is judged on a write-up of accomplishments plus supporting documentation and photographs.
NAS Whiting Field commanding officer Capt. Paul N. Flores, was quick to praise his team for the accomplishment.
“I could not be more proud of the entire team here at NAS Whiting Field. This award is truly a team effort of all hands on the base. It could not have been accomplished without all the hard work of everyone on the team. Congratulations, and thanks for everything you do every day!” he said.
Lindsey commented in his congratulatory message that “nominations were highly competitive, and it was very difficult to select only three finalists in each category this year. To all our installations and activities across the enterprise, thank you for your outstanding leadership and world-class support of the Fleet, Fighter and Family.” CNIC is the Navy command tasked with overseeing 70 U.S. Navy shore installations worldwide.
McCall also praised the region nominees and said, “This year, the exceptional work by Naval Station Mayport and NAS Whiting Field really stood out in their respective categories. Bravo Zulu and well done!”
Flores said that the honor couldn’t be achieved without a community that works hand-in-hand with Whiting Field to accomplish the mission. The award nomination package included citations emphasizing partnerships with Santa Rosa County toward achieving buffering initiatives to secure property around the base that prevents incompatible development; gaining grants to support infrastructure improvements; incorporating dozens of Military Family Life Counselors in area schools creating the most robust program in the country, and many more.