Traweeks spend 10 great years on Kwajalein

By Sheila BigelowDecember 10, 2010

Traweeks PCS after 10 years on Kwajalein
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

After almost 10 years of service to U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site, Billy and Lauren Traweek are moving on to their next assignment. USAKA/RTS staff held a farewell luncheon and ceremony Dec. 8 to thank the Traweeks for their hard work and dedication while here at USAKA.

Traweek has acted as the RTS Range Safety Officer for seven years. The programs he worked on while here at USAKA/RTS were both important and impressive, including roles as Command Safety Director and Range Safety Engineer for all RTS launch programs. In total, Traweek has overseen 17 major launch missions.

"That is a tremendous accomplishment," Col. Joseph Gaines, USAKA commander, said.

Traweek was given an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as the Range Safety Officer at USAKA/RTS. He was honored for his dedication and support toward the planning and execution of several missions and for demonstrating an outstanding and unwavering commitment to mission success.

Lt. Col. John Eggert, RTS director, took a moment to personally thank Traweek for his hard work and professionalism.

"A lot of great professional work has been done by both of these individuals right here. He's been working in the business for 31 years and...you just can't replace him. Someone with that much experience just doesn't happen every day so it's a testament to his character and the type of person that he is. We couldn't have gotten those 17 missions off without his professional analysis and his knowledge of rocket systems," Eggert said.

Eggert also praised Lauren for her work in the Micronesian Shop and with the YYWC.

"She's able to run organizations, manage organizations and administer organizations, plus be the driving force behind a lot of those organizations and that's a rare quality to have for any community, let alone the small community we have here on Kwajalein," he said. "We are going to miss both of these individuals very much."

Eggert presented them with a framed montage photograph of missions and photos of Kwajalein with a signed matte from Traweek's co-workers.

The Traweeks have lived a fulfilling life here on Kwajalein, both professionally and personally. In the past 10 years they have done more than 800 SCUBA dives, travelled to Bali, New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, Pohnpei and Kosrae, and sailed to Namu, Majuro and Roi-Namur.

Traweek will be heading to Bristol, England to be the Technical Liaison between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy.