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Dover member wins AF Antiterrorism award

  • Published
  • By Airman Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Michael Mendoza, 436th Airlift Wing Anti-terrorism advisor recently won the 2007 Air Force Best Antiterrorism Program Manager.

"I could not have received this recognition without the cooperation and commitment from the unit antiterrorism representatives and the Antiterrorism Force Protection and Threat working groups," said Mr. Mendoza.

The working group consists of different subject matter experts from various squadrons and agencies who address the vulnerabilities and issues of antiterrorism and force protection.

"One of the primary successes to our installation program is our ability to secure funding for projects," said Mr. Mendoza. "We've led the Air Mobility Command during the last three years in garnering combating-terrorism readiness-initiative funds, as well as other funding opportunities for our projects."

Mr. Mendoza said they are a proactive group that understands the different funding dynamics to help provide new equipment and upgrade old equipment.

Since 1999, Dover has received high-level recognition under the DoD awards program, said Mr. Mendoza. That is a long legacy of excellence.

Mr. Mendoza has specialized in AT for nearly 10 years and believes the key to Dover's AT shop's success is the depth of experience.

"It's the experience and partnerships we have for the program, allowing us to create a synergy between all of our groups to build and execute our programs," he said.

Mr. Mendoza's award was not the only AT award garnered by Team Dover, the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron was named AMC Best Antiterrorism Program Operational Unit for 2007.

"We're the first people to install, fix and maintain just about everything on base," said Dennis Committee, 436th CES deputy chief of operations.

Mr. Committee believes the award reflects Dover AFB's overall force protection, and that the 436th CES helps members feel safe and secure while working on base.

"It's pretty significant CES won because they were the first non-Security Forces unit involved in AT to win this award," said Mr. Mendoza. "We achieve success through teamwork and the partnerships we have with our organizations such as the 512th Airlift Wing, it's also through those folks that we're able to achieve innovative results."

It's using talent and skill, Mr. Mendoza explained, that provides the best protection and safety because AT is responsible for the protection and assets of the base.

As the Antiterrorism and Force Protection career field evolves with the emerging threats and homegrown terrorism, we will continue to execute analytical risk assessments, he said.

Mr. Mendoza will now compete for the DoD-level award. Results will be announced during the DoD world-wide Antiterrorism conference in September.