MCAS Cherry Point receives Commander in Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence

CHERRY POINT, N.C. (WNCT) — Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is being recognized on a national level. The U.S. Secretary of Defense announced on Tuesday the recipients of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Service.

The award is only given to six military installations across the country. It’s based on several criteria levels. Base officials said that it’s another testament to the hard work happening there.

“It’s truly a great honor. You know, humbled and honored at being presented this award. It’s been 21 years since we won this, but it really goes to show the testament, the hard work of our staff here.” said Colonel Brendan Burks, MCAS Cherry Point Commanding Officer.

Several Marines, staff, community members, and others gathered to hear the announcement. National officials from the Secretary of Defense were there virtually to present the honor.

“Everything that you’re doing supports the mission of the Department of Defense and your achievements help us do that, work that much better…you set a high bar for other installations across the department to emulate.” said Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment Chief Sustainability Officer.

Military installations across the country compete for this award. Some of the things looked at are quality of life, supporting the United States military mission and community relations. Cherry Point Commanding Officer, Colonel Brendan Burks, believes that they exceed those marks.

“One is the community. Two is the workers in this. Three is kind of the environment here. You know, Cherry Point’s not just the airfield here. It’s a made up of six locations, you know, five of those accessible by water with 9000 square miles of air space over the top of it. So it makes it a very unique training environment that can only be found in this area.”

It’s an award for so many to be proud of.

“Extremely, extremely proud, because if you think about the last time we had this was in 2003. So the ability for this team today, the team that are here delivering today to win this means everything.” said Mike Largent, CEO of Marine Corps Community Services.

“We worked hard to get here and we didn’t do it for the award. We did it because, you know, our nation’s going to need us. And, you know, the men and women that work on Cherry Point are are dedicated. You know, they don’t do it for their paychecks. They do it for the calling and the purpose. And we’re going to need that going forward in the future.” added Colonel Burks.

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