"There are no bounds:" Travis competes for CINC Installation Excellence Award

  • Published
  • By the Office of Public Affairs
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Travis was notified last week that it was an Air Mobility Command finalist for the fiscal 2007 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence and will be inspected Oct. 31 to determine if Travis will move on to the Air Force competition.

The award which is designed to recognize the outstanding efforts of the people who operate and maintain Department of Defense installations and who have done the best with their resources to support the mission.

The award, which carries a top prize of $1 million worth of monetary incentive awards, to be used for quality-of-life improvements throughout the winning installation, will be presented next year to the winner.

Travis, along with Dover and Charleston Air Force Bases, will compete for AMC's nomination to the Air Force from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

As Travis will be the last base to be inspected, the team is ready to impress and do what it takes to prepare for the visit.

"We have proven time and time again that 'Team Travis' is not just a slogan, but a commitment from every member of this installation," said Col. Anthony Hinen, 615th Contingency Response Wing commander. "This was highlighted most recently by the Inspector General during our Operational Readiness Inspection who said the cooperation and teamwork displayed was unprecedented. That cooperation starts at the top; Col. Steve Arquiette and I get along extremely well and that commitment flows throughout our organizations."

This year, Team Travis took home, 17 of 33 Rodeo awards, "Outstanding" and "Excellent" ratings on the two [ORIs] and hosted the Air Force Ball.

The Rodeo team represented Travis' capabilities during the event at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., in July, taking home the "Best Air Mobility Team" award.

During their ORI, Travis' 615th CRW demonstrated their readiness and skill during a deployment exercise to Gulfport, Miss., by opening a forward airbase in an expeditionary environment to meet combatant commanders' needs.

Team Travis also played a part in Air Force Week, by setting up mock deployments for civic leaders, complete with full deployment gear and MREs, to give an accurate account of what a deployment is really like.

The Air Force Ball/60th Anniversary celebration was a major success for Team Travis. 

The event featured special guest speaker, Jay Leno, and brought both military and civilian Travis members, their families and civic leaders together to celebrate the Air Force's 60th year.

According to Team Travis senior leaders, showcasing teamwork and dedication are two of the things that will help Travis prevail.

"Just to be considered for this award validates the outstanding work, dedication and commitment of Team Travis members who work together in making Travis 'America's First Choice,'" said Brig. Gen. Thomas Gisler, Jr., 349th Air Mobility Wing commander.

"It is a great honor to be selected as one of three AMC bases to compete for this distinguished award," said Col. GI Tuck, 60th AMW vice commander. "This year has been great for Team Travis and truly fitting of this year's theme 'There are No Bounds.' From being named 'Best of the Best' at the 2007 AMC Rodeo competition, to earning an 'Outstanding' and 'Excellent' on the most recent ORIs respectively, Team Travis continues to showcase why we are America's First Choice."