Thursday, June 04, 2026

DOW Announces Winners of the 2026 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the 2026 recipients of the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

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. The six recipients of this highly competitive presidential award were selected for their exemplary support of Department of War missions.

Recipients of the 2026 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence are:

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Bliss, Texas
Installation Commander: Major General Curtis D. Taylor, U.S. Army
Garrison Commander: Colonel Brendan R. Gallagher, U.S. Army

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona
Commanding Officer: Colonel Jared K. Stone, U.S. Marine Corps

Naval Station Mayport, Florida
Commanding Officer: Rear Admiral John Hewitt, U.S. Navy

Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Commanding Officer: Colonel Jun S. Oh, U.S. Air Force

Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Commanding Officer: Colonel Kenneth F. L. Klock, U.S. Space Force

Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio
Commanding Officer: Rear Admiral Julie M. Treanor, U.S. Navy

Installations compete on how well they achieve the Department's objectives in several areas of installation management, including mission support, quality of life and unit morale, real property management, safety, health and security, communications, and public relations.

Excellent installations enable better mission performance and enhance the working and living conditions for military men and women, DoW civilians, and their families. Each of the winning installations succeeded at being the best in performing installation management within their military service and the Defense Logistics Agency. Each winning installation will receive a commemorative trophy, Installation Excellence flag, and a congratulatory letter from the President.

DOW Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of War announced the death of an Active Duty Soldier who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Sergeant Devin A. Seibel, 26, of Robinson, Texas, died on May 31, 2026, in Erbil Airbase, Iraq, during a training-related incident. The Soldier was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Carson, Colo. The incident is under investigation.

For more information regarding Sgt. Seibel, members of the media may contact 4th Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office, Fort Carson, Colo., at usarmy.carson.hqda-ocpa.list.pao-media-relations@army.mil.