The Honorable James N. Stewart, performing the duties of the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will host the 2018 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards presentation at 10 a.m., Friday, March 29, 2019, at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes.
The award recognizes the National Guard and Reserve units, one from each of the seven Reserve Components, with the very best programs to support their military families. Representatives from each of the winning units will be in attendance and receive a commemorative plaque and framed certificate from Mr. Stewart. Each unit will also receive a certificate of recognition and award from the Military Officers Association of America.
This year’s winners are:
• Army National Guard – Charlie Company, 189th Aviation, Rapid City, South Dakota
Unit Commander: Maj. Anthony Timanus
• Army Reserve – Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support), Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City, Utah
Unit Commander: Maj. Candace Gordon
• Marine Corps Reserve – Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 48, Marine Air Control Group 48, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Great Lakes, Illinois
Unit Commander: Lt. Col. David Fennell
• Navy Reserve - Navy Operational Support Center Detroit, Detroit, Michigan
Unit Commander: Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Stallworth
• Air National Guard – 146th Force Support Squadron, 146th Airlift Wing, Port Hueneme, California
Unit Commander: Lt. Col. Joe Wildman
• Air Force Reserve – 446th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington
Unit Commander: Col. Anthony Angello
• Coast Guard Reserve - Port Security Unit 311, San Pedro, California
Unit Commander: Cmdr. Laila Grassley
The Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards program was established in 2000 to recognize the top unit in each of the Reserve Components. Family readiness programs are a vital link in the support networks for Reserve Component families and are particularly important as our nation relies on National Guard and Reserve members to support and serve in critical missions worldwide. Family readiness has proven to be a key component of mission readiness, and robust family readiness programs enhance the ability to sustain and deploy National Guard and Reserve units.