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Dover earns AF CINC Installation Excellence Team visit

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover earned an early gift this year as Dover Air Force Base was awarded $500,000 for quality-of-life initiatives and a seat as one of the top two finalists for the Air Force Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

Gen. Arthur Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command, on Monday informed Col. Steven Harrison, 436th Airlift Wing commander, Dover AFB will compete against Hill AFB, Utah, for the illustrious award.

"We will welcome an evaluation team, (that) will determine which Air Force base will be considered the 'Best Wing in the Best Air Force in the World,'" said Colonel Harrison in a message to Team Dover. "You have earned this and I could not be prouder of this validation of your commitment to full-spectrum excellence."

In addition to the $500,000 Team Dover will receive for being selected as one of two Air Force-wide finalists, the base will compete for an additional $500,000, which is slated to be awarded to the Air Force's 2008 CINC IE Award winner.

"Its time to roll up your sleeves again, Team Dover," said Chief Master Sgt. John Wood, 436th AW command chief. "We surged for the AMC win, now we must really dig in deep and give this all we've got."

The chief said he is confident in his Airmen and knows he and Colonel Harrison are fortunate to have the best squadron commanders and first sergeants a commander and command chief could ask for.

"This is like a 'Rocky' movie," the chief said. "We've worked our tails off - ran in the snow, did sit ups from the rafters, trained and pushed ourselves straight to the top. Now, we are standing in a ring with one other competitor and I, and every one of you, will not fail - we will win the top honor for the Air Force!"

The commander agrees. In addition to the quality-of-life money, Dover is competing for a seat at the top - to be the best in the Air Force.

"When we win it all, we will earn the right to the title of the best Air Force base in the world," said Colonel Harrison.

The evaluation team should arrive here toward the end of January or first week of February, he said.

"Thank you for everything that you've done and continue to do," said the colonel. "(This) announcement further demonstrated why Team Dover is 'America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team!' Now, let's win it!"