Key local leaders receive Air Force Space Command award

Published April 6, 2017
By James Spellman, Jr.
Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Key South Bay area civic leaders received an award from Air Force Space Command commander Gen. Jay Raymond during a ceremony here Feb. 15.

The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC) was named the recipient of the 2016 AFSPC Community Support Award for their outstanding support of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s mission at Los Angeles AFB.

The award, sponsored by the Colorado Springs Military Affairs Council, recognizes the community that provided the most significant impact to mission and installation needs in supporting an Air Force Space Command base.

A panel of judges representing the four submitting communities of Aurora, Colorado, Cocoa Beach, Florida, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the 18 South Bay area communities of Los Angeles County, along with AFSPC staff, evaluated the nominations on five key factors: community size and support resources; base and unit complexity and support needs; actual community programs and activities supporting the unit mission and personnel; endorsements; and community support recognition through awards and media coverage.

“We simply cannot protect our nation without the tremendous support from the incredible communities that surround our bases,” said Raymond. “This year South Bay really stood out. Though your footprint is only a small portion of the greater LA metro complex, your support to LA Air Force Base and the Space and Missile Center is enormous.”

“The SBACC is very proud and honored to receive the 2016 AFSPC Community Support Award from General Raymond and Air Force Space Command,” said Michael Jackson, chairman of the SBACC Base Retention Advisory Council, and vice president of The Dardanelle Group, Inc.

“For almost forty years, we have worked through our 18 local South Bay chambers of commerce, our 18 city councils and numerous community organizations to support the mission of SMC at Los Angeles AFB in El Segundo,” Jackson added. “SMC and Los Angeles AFB have always been our number one priority, and winning this prestigious award only helps solidify our longstanding relationship.”

Gen. Raymond presented the award as part of a one-day visit to the Space and Missile Systems Center.

His whirlwind trip began with a breakfast gathering of enlisted Airmen, a coin presentation recognizing top performers throughout the base, and a standing room only All Call that included geographically separated units at Kirtland, Vandenberg, Peterson, Hanscom and Cape Canaveral. It continued at a lunch with SMC’s company grade officers, the presentation to members of the SBACC, a walk-though visit of various workplaces that support all of Los Angeles Air Force Base, and briefings from SMC’s leadership on their directorates efforts to deliver a resilient Space Enterprise for the warfighter.

"This [acquisition] business is really important and is a critical national imperative. I want you to know what you do is extremely important,” said Raymond during the All Call.