Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River has been named the 2015 Personal Excellence Partnership (PEP) Flagship award winner in the "Large Shore" category.

The award recognizes commands engaged in exemplary voluntary community service activities that promote academics, life skills, and civic education for youth. Command nominations are for small, medium, and large shore categories; small, medium, and large sea categories; and small and large overseas categories.

"The PEP Flagship award is a great way to honor all of our dedicated volunteers at NAS Patuxent River," said Capt. Heidi Fleming, commanding officer of NAS Patuxent River. "Whether military or civilian, their commitment to the growth of the community is admirable, and I am happy to see their hard work recognized. I would like to personally thank them for their dedication to the community and the development of the next generation of youth. You are educating, empowering, and equipping them for future success!"

The Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship program is just one of several highlighted by the U.S. Navy's Community Service Program, whose mission is "to help build stronger communities and to develop mission-ready personnel through outreach activities." The program also offers Sailors the opportunity to give back to the communities they live and work in while providing support to established community programs.

Other winners and honorable mentions of the 2015 PEP Flagship award include:

* Small Shore Winner: Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific
Honorable Mention: Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, Whidbey Island

* Medium Shore Winner: Naval Air Station Whiting Field
Honorable Mention: Naval Air Station Pensacola

* Large Shore Winner: Naval Air Station, Patuxent River
Honorable Mention: Training Support Center, Great Lakes

* Small Sea Winner: Coastal Riverine Group ONE Detachment, Guam

* Medium Sea Winner: USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19)
Honorable Mention: Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO THREE

* Large Sea Winner: USS Frank Cable (AS 40)
Honorable Mention: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)

* Small Overseas Winner: Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae
Honorable Mention: U.S. Navy Personnel Exchange Program, Ottawa

* Large Overseas Winner: Naval Air Station Sigonella 4

"Well done and thank you for your continued support and partnership with the surrounding communities, and your ongoing support of the Navy's Community Service Program," said Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas Jr., Director, Navy Staff, in the NAVADMIN announcing the winners. "Please accept my gratitude for the commitment and caring you have shown in your local communities."

For more information on the PEP Flagship Award and the Navy Community Service Program, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/om/base_support/command_and_staff/public-affairs/navy-community-service-program.html.

For more information on NAS Patuxent River, visit the Tester page at http://www.dcmilitary.com/tester/, or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver/.

For more news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, visit www.navy.mil/.