NAS Meridian Represents CNRSE in Installation Excellence Award

MERIDIAN, Miss. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss., has been selected by Commander, Navy Region Southeast as the 2011 Installation Excellence Award nominee for the Commander, Naval Installation Command's (CNIC) Installation Excellence Award, announced Oct. 26.

Rear Adm. Jack Scorby Jr. announced NAS Meridian's selection as the Small Category winner among 15 installations in the southeast region. Meridian joins NAS Jacksonville, which was nominated for the large installation category nominee.

"In the end, NAS Jacksonville and NAS Meridian submitted the best packages in their respective category, showing how they utilized imaginative and innovative management actions that directly supported the fleet, fighter and family. Enhancements in readiness, quality of service, business processes across operations, facilities management, energy and environment, and quality of life core competencies were key in their selections," said Scorby. "Their packages also highlighted the installation's significant accomplishments in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their installation."

NAS Meridian was the recipient of CNRSE FY11 Community Service first place awards in Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship, Project Good Neighbor Flagship; and Environmental Stewardship Flagship; and second place in Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship.

"Congratulations to all the men and women contributing to NAS Meridian's mission of supporting the warfighter," said Capt. Charles C. Moore II, commanding officer of NAS Meridian.

"You should be proud of this accomplishment. As I told the admiral, I have been impressed with the enthusiasm, innovation, and atmosphere of conservation and energy efficiency of all the personnel supporting the station's mission since arriving in July. Both uniformed and civilian personnel here are proud of their station and of the many warfighter missions that they support. I am also certain that NAS Meridian will be proud to represent CNRSE in the small installation category of the upcoming competition."

Meridian was recognized by the Secretary of the Navy for its continued efforts in energy conservation receiving the SECNAV Gold Certification. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast completed $1.2 million worth of energy conservation projects on board NAS Meridian. The various projects completed consisted of solar hot water heating for the combined bachelor quarters and bachelor laundry service, variable refrigerant flow air conditioning units around the base, lighting and water conservation upgrades, and operational efficiencies at various buildings on the installation. The installation has an aggressive plan to reduce excess footprint by 108,227 square feet over the next three years. Meridian also received $2 million for advanced meter installation and $4 million for various energy and water conservation projects around the base.

Ongoing projects include a construction of a $6 million child development center, $2.4 million upgrade to airfield signage, $3.2 million photovoltaic installation, $1.7 million for additional aircraft shelters, $1.2 million for medical/dental clinic remodel. Completion of these projects will provide better quality of life for active duty personnel and civilian personnel and improved airfield safety.

NAS Meridian hosted the first Centennial of Naval Aviation air show in March 2011 featuring the Blue Angels and welcomed Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, who returned to his home state of Mississippi to attend Meridian's air show and to participate in the first Mississippi Navy Week.

NAS Meridian will represent CNRSE in the Small Installation category competing with 77 installations worldwide. The winner of the CNIC Installation Excellence Award will be nominated for the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Established in 1984, the award recognizes the outstanding efforts of personnel in the operations and maintenance of U.S. military installations worldwide.

For more news from Naval Air Station Meridian, visit www.navy.mil/local/nasmeridian/.