Capt. Gray earns Florida space award

Jan. 15, 2010 -- Capt. Kathryn Gray, a former member of the 45th Space Wing, was honored Tuesday afternoon as the 2009 Florida National Defense Space Award winner by the National Space Club of Florida in a ceremony attended by hundreds at the Radisson Resort at the Port, Cape Canaveral.
"The NSC is proud to recognize Captain Gray for her outstanding leadership and major contributions to our national defense and space exploration mission," said NSC Chairman Michael Maier.
Col. Lee Rosen, 45th Launch Group commander, presented the award to Captain Gray at the luncheon and then addressed the club providing an update on the mission of the 45th Space Wing and U.S. Air Force efforts to maintain space superiority.
Capt. Gray currently is the Space Weapons and Tactics Flight Commander for the 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida. She is responsible for coordinating and integrating space tactics and capabilities, including navigation, personnel recovery, missile warning, and friendly force tracking, into Air Force special operations.
"Capt Gray's contributions to the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command and Combatant Commanders worldwide have certainly contributed to the defense of our nation," said Colonel Albert M. Elton, II, from the 1st Special Operations Group, Air Force Special Operations School.
Prior to this assignment she was assigned to the 3d Space Launch Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, where she was the Booster Operations Controller for the final launch of the Titan IV rocket from the East coast. After the launch, she became the Chief of Training at the 45th Operations Support Squadron until she was selected to be the 45th Operations Group Executive Officer.
In December 2007, Capt Gray graduated from the Air Force Weapons School's Space Weapons Instructor Course.
"After speaking with Captain Gray, and talking with Airmen and commanders she worked with, it's obvious she is an outstanding young officer who will continue to do great things for our Air Force and our nation," said Col. Rosen.
The Florida National Defense Space Award was created in 2005 by the National Space Club Florida Committee to recognize significant achievements and contributions made by Department of Defense (DoD) personnel while on duty in the state of Florida.
The award celebrates major contributions of DoD active duty military, DoD civilians and DoD contractors in space-related areas that significantly contribute to the defense of our nation.