SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) – Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz announced Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as the 2011 Installation Excellence Award recipient Feb. 15.

The base will receive $1 million for quality-of-life improvements.

“Congratulations to (everyone) — from the Airmen and their family members to the civilians, contractors and our neighbors in the German community — for being awarded the 2011 Commander in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award,” said Col. Christopher Weggeman, the 52nd Fighter Wing commander. “Now, . . . as the most outstanding installation in the U.S. Air Force, we have the opportunity to make quality-of-life improvements with the $1 million prize.”

The Installation Excellence Award, which was initiated in 1984, recognizes “the outstanding efforts of the people who operate and maintain Department of Defense installations, and effectively use their resources to support the mission,” according to the Air Force secretary and chief of staff’s announcement for the award.

“The (Spangdahlem AB) family continues to shatter my every expectation in so many ways,” Colonel Weggeman said. “This victory is the validation of our ethos — I am proud to be a part of this installation, and I know this award is truly deserved.”

Along with the Installation Excellence Award, 100 units and individuals were recognized as special recognition winners. This secretary of defense award recognizes units, teams, projects and individuals for outstanding support of installation excellence. Individual special recognition winners are awarded the Air Force Recognition Ribbon or the civilian recognition lapel pin.

“It’s the outstanding Airmen who make an installation outstanding,” the commander said.

Source: USAF press release