Photo By Jason Cutshaw | Richard P. De Fatta, deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile...... read more read more
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s senior civilian leader discussed the command while also recognizing Team Redstone members who were honored for their contributions to national defense.
Richard P. De Fatta, USASMDC deputy to the commanding general, addressed the 2024 National Defense Industrial Association – Tennessee Valley Chapter Annual Awards Dinner on April 23 as they presented achievement and service excellence awards to local government and contractor employees in recognition of their efforts in the development, test and deployment of air, space and missile defense systems.
“I’m glad to be here on behalf of SMDC and to recognize these amazing award winners and highlight their accomplishments,” De Fatta said. “At SMDC, we realize the core of our success is due to the success of our people. So, I am glad to see folks doing great things and being celebrated for it, and I am honored to be a part of it.
“It is really exciting to be here with you this evening and to reflect on what has changed for us at SMDC and what the future might hold,” he added. “It is humbling to be part of an organization and community at the nexus of advancements in science and technology, research and development, and space — and also at the forefront of delivering the Army of 2030 and designing the Army of 2040.”
De Fatta said USASMDC continues the legacy of discovery and advancements in space and missile defense as they research, test and integrate space, missile defense, cyber, directed energy, hypersonics and many other technologies for the defense of the homeland.
The command is also intricately involved with most of the Army’s modernization priorities, including long range precision fires, air and missile defense, network and Soldier lethality.
“At SMDC, keeping pace with these changing times is another big rock, as we adjust and rethink,” De Fatta said. “This changing environment causes us to fine tune our posture in many ways, prompting a few big changes since last year. Another big rock is the adaptation of our technologies and strategies to get ahead of the technology that our adversaries are testing and in some cases already using against us.
“It really is a great time to be involved with space and missile defense,” he added. “We are growing, and we are innovating. But we need your help to continue to adapt and address challenges.”
James B. Johnson, NDIA-TVC Programs Committee director, said they appreciated De Fatta providing time to discuss the mission and challenges of USASMDC and how industry and academia can help address those challenges.
He added that along with USASMDC, Redstone Arsenal has always had tremendous impact on capabilities of warfighters such as space, missile defense, missiles, rockets, aviation platforms, logistics, test and evaluation, intelligence, and more.
“We like to help recognize the fantastic contributions of our North Alabama military and civilian members that have gone above and beyond in supporting our warfighters,” Johnson said. “This recognition helps them to know their contributions are noticed and appreciated. Also, NDIA-TVC provides scholarships to local university students that are selected by their schools. Part of the motivation for this is giving back to our community but selfishly, we want to attract the best and brightest talent to support the mission of Redstone Arsenal as military, civilian and contractors.
“NDIA has been around for more than 100 years providing a platform through which leaders in government, industry and academia can collaborate and provide solutions to advance the national security and defense needs of the nation,” he added. “NDIA is non-profit and their only motivation is to champion issues that contribute to the strength, resiliency and capacity of the defense industrial base.”
NDIA-TVC actively supports national defense and national aerospace industry within a region that includes locations in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. The award program is hosted annually to recognize accomplishments and talents of government and defense contractors within the Tennessee Valley defense and aerospace workforce.
The NDIA Award Recipients are:
• Timothy A. Anderson, Missile Defense Agency – Management Award
• Robert (Shane) Gwaltney, MDA – Management Award
• COL James Caldwell, MDA – Leadership Excellence Award
• Sonya Read, MDA – Technology Award
• COL Wheeler R. Manning, Army Materiel Command – Leadership Excellence Award
• CW4 Chendi Sar, AMC – Management Award
• Jason Comfort, MDA – Management Award
• Brittany (Abigail) Huffstatler, AMC – Technology Award
• Charles Gage and Michael Chenault, AMC – Technology Award
• Carrie Slezak, Still Serving Veterans – Technology Award
• Scott Weir, MDA – Technology Award
• Travis Curtis Sr., Integrated Fires Mission Command – Leadership Excellence Award
• CW3 Edwin R. Lopez, AMC – Leadership Excellence Award
• Rocket Vetting for Rapid Hiring pilot team, AMC – Tech Team Award
• Howell M. Kelly, AMC – Management Award.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2024 08:31 |
| Story ID: | 469438 |
| Location: | HUNTSVILLE, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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