Director of NRTF AGUADA Recognized with Copernicus Award

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Emily Rookstool | Steven McMiller (left), Technical Director for Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) Aguada, Puerto Rico and his team were presented the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT) "Red 'E'" for Electronic Maintenance Excellence by NCTAMS LANT Chief Staff Officer, Cmdr. Patrick Lancaster (right). They were also presented the "Green 'C'" for Communications Excellence. The work they conducted was also later recognized with McMiller winning the Copernicus Award.  

UNITED STATES

05.17.2019

Story by James Hoeft 

Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station - Atlantic

Steven McMiller, technical director (TD) for Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) Aguada, Puerto Rico, a unit within the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT) Enterprise, has been honored as a Copernicus Awardee by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI).

McMiller received the award for leading the NRTF's efforts during the past year, demonstrating superior planning and execution of facility modernization.

"I am incredibly honored that AFCEA and USNI recognized my work at NRTF Aguada, but it truly was a team effort that was fully supported by NCTAMS LANT, and the NRTF onsite contractor, " McMiller said. "NRTF Aguada is critical for our national defense communications and making sure it's operating at peak performance is our daily objective."

McMiller, who assumed the responsibilities of TD in February 2016, is responsible to the NCTAMS LANT commanding officer for the daily oversight and management of the Fixed Low Frequency (FLF) transmitter site.

Working closely with NCTAMS LANT and other government and civilian organizations, he seeks to develop and maintain a flexible transmitter system that is ready for current and future requirements, including the challenges of the global war on terrorism. He is also responsible for operations and maintenance of contract oversight, which includes monitoring and evaluating government contractor performance, defining contract requirements, managing the contract budget and certifying invoices.

"Mr. McMiller's efforts were exemplary," said Capt. Jody Grady, commanding officer, NCTAMS LANT. "Through ingenuity, initiative, and creativity, he truly transformed the facility at Aguada."

A Michigan native, McMiller enlisted in the Navy as an Electronics Technician in 1990 and following eight years of military service, he joined government service where he has served in various technical and leadership capacities for more than two decades. He was presented with the Meritorious Civil Service Award in January 2018.

The Copernicus Award recognizes individual contributions to Naval Warfare in the disciplines of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I), Information Systems or Information Warfare (IW).

NCTAMS LANT operates and defends responsive, resilient, and secure computer and telecommunications systems, providing information superiority for global maritime and joint forces.

Find out more about the NCTAMS LANT Enterprise by visiting https://www.nctamslant.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 05.17.2019
• Date Posted: 05.17.2019 12:06
• Story ID: 322761
• Location: US