FORT BRAGG, N.C. - It seems each year Fort Bragg's Antiterrorism Program adds more accolades to it's long list of awards, and this year is no different.
In addition to again taking an installation award, this year the program manager, Kurt Lugo, was individually recognized as 2011 Program Manager of the Year in a ceremony on Fort Bragg, Feb. 14.
For the top honor, Lugo beat out program managers at all U.S. Army installations, both national and abroad, but credits his team for the win.
"The award is recognition of the efforts of the team and their dedication to keeping Fort Bragg safe," said Lugo, who has nine others working alongside him.
Though you may not have heard of the antiterrorism program specifically, which falls under Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, anyone who works on or around Fort Bragg has seen the work of the antiterrorism team.
Programs supported by DPTMS and the antiterrorism program include iWATCH, which is an updated version of a neighborhood watch that raises awareness of community members, iSALUTE, a user-friendly way to report counterintelligence threats and 90-REACT, an immediate system for reporting suspicious activities.
"The benefit of these programs to the residents of both Fort Bragg and our surrounding communities is preparedness," said Mike Lynch, director of DPTMS. "As we've seen time and again from tornados to hurricanes, when an incident occurs, the hard work of planning, preparing and rehearsing minimizes our risk and ensures our ability to react and recover."
Members of the team believe Fort Bragg's program has separated itself from other installations by synchronizing emergency efforts under one directorate. In the past, the program had separate directorates for natural and man-made emergencies, but now emergency management and antiterrorism have been consolidated under one roof.
"By consolidating all hazards, it makes us much more effective in managing any event," said Lugo, whose team also coordinates with North Carolina state and federal emergency managers.
As for next year, the team plans on continuing doing what it's doing.
"We will remain vigilant and ensure the safety of our Soldiers, Families and civilians while continuing to improve our capabilities," said Lynch.
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