Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced Mountain Home Air Force Base as the Air Force recipient of the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence July 1.
The award recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the teams of people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations, selecting one base from each military service, plus the Defense Logistics Agency, each year.
The selection board for the Air Force award was drawn from senior members within the service. The 2024 Air Force Installation Excellence Selection Board was chaired by Brig. Gen. Brian S. Hartless, Air Force Civil Engineers director; and comprised of Col. Patrick Wnetrzak, 492nd Special Operations Wing; Col. Lauren A. Courchaine, 37th Training Wing; Col. Silas V. Darden, 960th Cyberspace Wing; and Chief Master Sgt. Antonio L. Cooper, 377th Air Base Wing. The board visited installation finalists as part of the selection process.
During their trip, the board witnessed the innovative efforts of the bases and met with members of the devoted teams who make them happen. Mountain Home AFB was recognized for its introduction of a self-sustaining recycling center and for its portable solar power cells that provide a deployable, self-sufficient source of electricity in austere environments and during field training exercises. The power cells are managed by the "Gunfighter Innovation Cell," which also improved the lives of Airmen at the installation through renovations to dorm rooms, among other initiatives.
"Mountain Home Air Force Base excelled in their mission support throughout 2023. They met challenges head-on, crafting innovative solutions and initiatives to bolster operations on base and downrange. The Gunfighters have also improved the lives of their Airmen by providing ample opportunities for Airmen to immerse themselves in the local community. Congratulations to Mountain Home on their accomplishments over the past year; keep leading the way!" Brig. Gen. Brian S. Hartless, Air Force Civil Engineers Director
Many Air Force installations were considered for the 2024 CINC IEA, demonstrating their commitment to excellence. The first runner-up was Aviano Air Base, Italy, and honorable mentions were Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and MacDill AFB, Florida.
