FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Winners of the 2006 U.S. Army Materiel Command Force Protection Awards were recently announced during the annual AMC Force Protection Workshop held March 20 - 22 at Camp Robinson National Guard Professional Education Center, Little Rock, Ark.

Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin, AMC commanding general, presented the awards.

The command-wide awards program consists of five categories; Best Anti-terrorism Program (Operational Unit), Best Anti-terrorism Program (Installation), Best Vulnerability Assessment Performance, Best Anti-terrorism Program Manager and Outstanding Anti-terrorism Innovation or Action (Individual).

The theme for this year's workshop was National Incident Management System Certification. This certification is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency database and allows AMC personnel to plan and interact with supporting force protection organizations.

The winners are:

* Best Antiterrorism Program (Operational Unit): U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. Josette Paschal, AMCOM LCMC force protection officer, accepted the award.

Among the significant accomplishments within the AMCOM LCMC program is the creation of an Employee Location Force Protection Database. This database enables AMCOM LCMC leadership and first responders to have complete visibility of employees' whereabouts in the event of a disaster.

"I was very proud AMCOM LCMC received the award. The command's Anti-terrorism team, whose diligence and attention to security issues, contributed to the overall achievement of this recognition," said Paschal.

* Best Antiterrorism Program (Installation): Military Ocean Terminal - Sunny Point, N.C. Ronald Waidlich, MOTSU force protection officer, accepted the award.

In 2006, MOTSU completed 16 physical security and command and control projects, had seven more underway and had six funded projects pending. MOTSU also participated in two joint exercises, validating their planning and gathering valuable lessons learned.

* Best Vulnerability Assessment Performance: Anniston Army Depot, Ala. Louretta Hampton, physical security specialist and alternate force protection officer, accepted the award on behalf of the depot.

ANAD achieved the best vulnerability assessment results of any installation in AMC in the last 36 months.

"I was honored to accept the 2006 Best Vulnerability Assessment Performance for an Installation Award on behalf of the Anniston Army Depot. The award was attributed to the highly skilled security team and other activities that assist Directorate of Emergency Services in maintaining the depot's security posture. We at ANAD take great pride in performing our job in a professional and ingenious manner. We work as a team to accomplish beyond what is projected," said Hampton.

* Best Antiterrorism Program Manager: Leah Clinton, Crane Army Ammunition Activity, Ind.

Since assumption of her duties at Crane in 1997, Clinton has built a comprehensive and effective Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Program and was rated "Green" for every critical task during a 2006 HQAMC Vulnerability Assessment. Clinton has also played a significant role in preparing other installations for their own comprehensive evaluations.

"It's about the challenge," Clinton said. "Anti-terrorism officers are not the most favored because we tell people what they need to know, not what they want to hear."

* Outstanding Antiterrorism Innovation or Action (Individual): Russell Bowmer, MOTSU.

Responding to a 2006 Joint Services Integrated Vulnerability Assessment that the MOTSU perimeter was subject to undetected intrusion, Bowmer took personal action to mitigate the vulnerability. He devised a low cost, locally produced, hinged pole gate that reinforced the existing chain link fence and provided additional, tamper proof security. The resulting "Bowmer Gate" has significantly reduced fence repair costs and vulnerability.

"I take great pride in the AMC Force Protection Program and even greater pride in presenting these well-deserved awards. Although each award is presented to one individual, they truly represent the accomplishments of an entire team from their respective installation or major subordinate command," said Steven R. Shannon, AMC force protection officer.

The U.S. Army Materiel Command is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness - technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics, power projection and sustainment - to the total force, across the spectrum of join military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it or eats it AMC provides it.