WASHINGTON -- The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) and the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Awards were presented June 5, in two different ceremonies at the U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center here.
The SECNAV and CNO Environmental Awards program recognizes Navy and Marine Corps personnel, installations and ships for their exceptional environmental stewardship.
The CNO Environmental Award winners were presented first, and SECNAV winners were announced in a following ceremony.
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mark Ferguson presented the CNO the Environmental Awards on behalf of the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert.
"I am ever mindful that the strength of this great Navy does not rest with technology or platforms alone--the real capability resides in the people serving and their extraordinary hard work and dedication," said Ferguson. "The exceptional men and women - Sailors, civilians, and government contractors - receiving awards today seized the opportunity when given to them, and went the extra mile in protecting our environment.
"Over the past several years, the Navy has greatly expanded efforts to make our ships, aircraft, and shore installations more energy efficient. We focus 85 percent of our efforts on identifying and implementing energy efficiencies, which reduces resource consumption and translates directly into greater readiness and enhanced combat capability," he said.
Commander, Navy Installations Command Vice Adm. William French was in attendance and congratulated the shore installation winners.
"I want to congratulate all of you on your continuing dedication to improve our shore installations environmental readiness and conservation efforts. Your work directly reflects and supports the Navy's overall environmental stewardship as we continue to increase these endeavors into the 21st century," said French.
Cultural Resources Management, Installation - Cultural Resources Management Team, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman - Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command/Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, Calif.
Environmental Restoration, Installation - Portsmouth Naval Shipyard - Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Awards were presented in a variety of categories including natural resources conservation, cultural resources management, environmental quality, pollution prevention and environmental restoration.