Another Hill AFB organization was recently recognized for a National Award. The ICBM Systems Directorate (ICBMSD), part of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, was recently awarded the Citation of Honor by the Air Force Association during a ceremony at the Air & Space Conference in Washington D.C.
Each year the AFA honors the outstanding achievements of men and women throughout the U.S. Air Force, government, academia and the aerospace industry.
Col. Ryan Britton, Senior Materiel Leader for the ICBMSD accepted the award on Sept. 15 from George Muellner, Chairman of the Board for AFA.
The Citation of Honor was established in 1949 and recognizes individuals or organizations for their outstanding contribution in the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind. The Association presents the awards at local AFA chapters, regional forums and during the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition.
The award nominations for AFA National Aerospace Awards are solicited from the U.S. Air Force, members and leaders of AFA, the aerospace industry and U.S. citizens or organizations having a deep interest in aerospace activities. The board reviews all packages submitted, and then selects the top to award as citation winners.
The ICBMSD was cited for providing exceptional support to ICBM weapon systems for more than five decades. They were recognized as the only program office responsible with true “cradle-to-grave” life cycle management of intercontinental ballistic missiles. ICBMs makes up 90 percent of the nation’s day-to-day nuclear strategic force, and through the efforts of the ICBMSD, that nuclear force maintained a 99 percent on-alert rate over the last four years.
This is the highest alert rate in the 50 year history of the Minuteman III weapon system.
Britton said he was proud to be a recipient of this year’s award.
“Our team has worked hard over the last four years to support the Air Force Chief of Staff’s number one priority – to strengthen the nuclear forces,” Britton said. “We provide the warfighter with the right tools and equipment to ensure a safe, secure and reliable weapon system.”
This latest award adds to the total number of national awards the ICBMSD has received. In the past year, the directorate has had 11 individuals and three teams recognized with awards at the AFMC level, with 10 of those going on to win an Air Force-level award.
“I have some exceptional people working in my organization,” Britton said. “It’s the combined effort of our entire team that creates the synergy for success.”
Other recipients of this year’s Citation of Honor were the 3rd Special Operations Squadron at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, the 5th Combat Communications Group of Robins AFB, Georgia, the 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron of Holloman AFB, New Mexico, and the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
