Team Nellis awarded money for improvement projects Published April 30, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael M. Donley announced team Nellis-Creech as the runner-up to Hurlburt Field, Fla., for the Commander in Chief Installation Excellence Award, April 23. The Nellis-Creech team will receive $500,000 for various quality of life improvement projects. "All the wings and tenant units of Nellis and Creech have been invited to propose projects, and the wing commanders will decide together which projects to build," said Col. Dave Belote, 99th Air Base Wing commander. The CINC's annual award for Installation Excellence was established in 1984 by the president of the United States 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. "My hat's off to the Airmen of Hurlburt Field," Colonel Belote said. "They deserve all the accolades they've received. But we'll get it next year." The Installation Excellence Selection Board, which consisted of four Air Force officers, visited Nellis and Hurlburt Field in late January. During the visit Nellis and Creech AFBs displayed the services and facilities that support the wings and tenant units of Team Nellis. "I've never met a more focused and capable group of Airmen than those at Nellis and Creech, said Colonel Belote. "I'd fight shoulder-to-shoulder with our Nellis and Creech Airmen anytime, anywhere." The Secretary of Defense or a designated representative will honor Hurlburt Field as the winning installation and Nellis AFB as the runner-up during a ceremony at the Pentagon in the near future.
