Navy installations supported by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Far East won Fiscal Year 2016 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Awards, the Navy announced March 15.

Commander, Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka, Japan won for Cultural Resources Management, Small Installation, and Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan won for Environmental Quality, Overseas.

Working with local stakeholders such as the Yokosuka Board of Education, Japanese Geotechnical Society, and Yokosuka Museum, to name a few, has allowed the Public Works Department (PWD) Yokosuka Environmental Division to better manage the historical resources under FLEACT Yokosuka's stewardship. The division participates in speaking engagements, creates educational pamphlets and posts informative signage that helps bring history to base military and civilian population.

FLEACT Yokosuka has won in this category five of the past six years.

"It's obvious that the environmental division's leadership and educational outreach, mixed in with host nation and tenant command partnerships and volunteer participation makes for a winning formula to bring in CNO-level recognition," said Public Works Officer Cmdr. Jason Wood.

NAF Atsugi has championed significant improvements to its environmental program that emphasizes strong partnerships with tenant commands and the local community. Recent program highlights include a joint archaeological dig that uncovered 40,000-year-old artifacts, an innovative partnership with local farmers to relocate nuisance honeybees off base and the development of process-specific environmental manuals that tailor volumes of code for specific tenants.

NAF Atsugi has robust conservation and compliance programs that ensure maximum protection of environmental resources while maintaining mission readiness.

"Our hard-working and very innovative staff, along with the great support from our community of tenant commands, civilian population, and local Japanese host nationals, [has] built one of the strongest and most exemplary environmental programs in the Navy," said PWD Atsugi Environmental Programs Director Sean Walsh.

"Congratulations to all our accomplished winners for their impressive achievements in protecting environmental assets while maintaining mission readiness," said Deputy CNO for Fleet Readiness and Logistics Vice Adm. Phil Cullom in his message announcing the winners. "The Navy commends you for your innovative and tireless efforts to demonstrate environmental stewardship and ensure national security."

The winners will now compete with Marine Corps nominees for the Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards.

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