Gen. Dennis L. Via, USA, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Material Command, presented TRIDENT Refit Facility (TRF), Kings Bay, with the trophy recognizing the command as the winner of the 2015 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award in the field-level-large category.

Vice Adm. Philip H. Cullom, USN, deputy chief of naval operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics, announced the command's recognition Sept. 8.

As he presented the award, Gen. Via said, "You represent the silent professionals of the joint force. You are the indispensable few who guarantee that when our nation calls--no matter when, where, or how often--our military will be ready."

Accepting the award for the command was Capt. Gunter Braun, USN, Commanding Officer of TRF, who led a small group of employees participating in the event.

"This recognition represents the outstanding work that each and every one of TRF's 1,700-plus employees does every day," said Braun. "I couldn't be more proud of our team's performance, and accept this award on their behalf."

The award was presented the evening of Dec. 8, during the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards ceremony and banquet held as part of the 2015 Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium, Dec. 5 - 8, in Phoenix, Arizona. The field-level awards are given to the most outstanding field-level maintenance units in each of three categories (small, medium and large) across the Department of Defense.

TRF performs all of the homeported and forward-deployed maintenance for east coast-based Ohio-class submarines, provides technical assistance to regional maintenance centers, shipyards and other activities as requested, and provides fleet wide submarine supply support. The command supports eight Ohio class submarines (two SSGNs and six SSBNs) homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, visiting United Kingdom (UK) boats, and other submarines requiring emergent repairs. TRF is the Navy's only shore-based submarine repair facility in the southeast United States and the only repair facility certified for handling explosive ordnance.

In fiscal year 2014, October 2013--September 2014, the period the award covers, TRF personnel completed 15 submarine refit periods for a total of 1,038 refit days; 10 voyage repair periods for a total of 254 refit days; and provided emergent submarine repairs for seven U.S. submarines and one British submarine for a total of 84 refit days; all in one 365-day period. TRF personnel annually expend more than one million production man-hours in submarine maintenance and other support. Each refit involves more than 35,000 man-hours in maintenance and repair, with two to three submarines in a refit status at any given time. On average, TRF deploys a submarine every three weeks back to the fleet.

Braun praised the work of all TRF employees, military and civilian, saying, "This is a tremendous achievement that recognizes the extremely hard work that every member of TRF contributes. The honor of this award cannot be understated. Each and every one of our employees had a part in TRF earning this award and recognition."

For more news from Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, visit www.navy.mil/.