Wing wins AFSPC Installation Excellence Award Published May 15, 2008 By Chris Calkins 45th SW Public Affairs PATRICK AFB, Fla. -- In 1984 the President established the Commander-in-Chiefs' Annual Award for Installation Excellence to recognize the outstanding efforts of the people who operate and maintain Department of Defense installations and who have done the best with their resources to support the mission. Time to chalk up another win for the 45th Space Wing. For the third time in history - and the first time since 2005 - Patrick Air Force Base was recently honored by winning the annual Air Force Space Command Installation Excellence Award. Bases are evaluated on three specific criteria: improving quality of life, enhancing the productivity of the work force and improving the wing's environment or physical plants. Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space Wing commander, said she was very pleased with the results, but certainly not surprised. "Well, the hits - and I mean that in a very good way - just keep coming," said General Helms. "Just by reading the three-phase criteria, I knew we would have to be in the running... we make a habit of finding creative ways of doing all three of those things. It's just a way of life around here," she said. Also "winning gold" were the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight and Senior Master Sgt. James Clark and Tech. Sgt Jeremy Griffin of the Civil Engineer Squadron. Their commander, understandably, is proud of their achievements. "Anytime a unit or individual is recognized in a DOD-level award it's a great honor. Clearly that's a testament to the caliber of their performance, character and commitment. I couldn't be prouder of EOD, Sergeant Clark and Sergeant Griffin," said Lt. Col. Andrew Lambert, commander, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron. Once again, General Helms emphasized this was an award to be shared by all "Being officially recognized as the best installation in Space Command is a great thing, but it pales in comparison to the satisfaction I get from working with all of you on an everyday basis. You do a gold-medal job in everything you do," she said. "This isn't my award - it's all yours."