Kadena wins CINC's Installation Excellence Award for PACAF

Published Oct. 9, 2010
By 18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The men and women of Kadena Air Base, Japan were awarded Pacific Air Forces' 2011 Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award Friday for their accomplishments improving base quality of life during the past year.

The Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations.

Kadena will advance to compete in the Air Force level competition. Headquarters U.S. Air Force will announce the two finalists in December 2010. Each finalist will be awarded $500,000 each for quality of life programs and the overall Air Force winner takes home an additional $500,000.

The annual award was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 to help commanders promote innovative ways to enhance base-level services, facilities and quality of life.
Kadena was the first base to ever win the Air Force title in 1985.

Last year, another Pacific Air Forces installation, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, won the Air Force competition. PACAF bases have also won in 1994 (Elmendorf AFB), 1999 (Hickam AFB), 2000 (Kunsan AB), and 2005 (Misawa AB).