MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS -- MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.- The Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards Program awarded the Combat Center for its efforts in natural resources and sustainability, March 23, 2015.
The annual awards program recognizes Navy and Marine Corps ships, installations, and personnel for excellent performance in advocating environmental responsibility. Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, recognizes those organizations and people whom have made significant contributions in environmental areas.
"I applaud our civilians, sailors and Marines, both here and forward deployed, who are a part of our robust environmental team supporting the sustainment of our operations and resiliency of our installations," Mabus said.
This is the third year the Combat Center has received an award in this program, with the first two presented in 2010 and 2011.
"This recognition is the result of a team effort from not only the folks from [Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs], but also all tenants aboard the Combat Center," said Lt. Col. Timothy B. Pochop, director, NREA. "Our primary goal in NREA is to be good stewards of the environment, conserving our resources while enabling necessary training aboard the installation."
Winners are selected by environmental experts from the government and private sectors, who evaluate the Marine Corps and Navy nominations. Once that is complete, one Navy winner and one Marine Corps winner is awarded in each category and then submitted to compete in the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards competition.