Naval Air Station Whiting Field has been named recipient of the 2021 Installation Excellence Award in the small base category.
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.
“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 well-deserved,” said Commanding Officer Capt. Paul D. Bowdich.
Bowdich said the honor couldn’t be achieved without a community that works hand-in-hand with the air station 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 to prevent incompatible development, gaining grants to support infrastructure improvements and incorporating dozens of Military Family Life Counselors in area schools.
“To achieve this honor four times since 2015 is amazing and couldn’t be accomplished without the support of our local community. Santa Rosa County and our many neighbors support our mission and ensure our families are taken care of in the local area,” Bowdich said.
