Courtesy Photo | The Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, or RTS, tracks an unarmed...... read more read more
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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command team members were recognized at the Army’s highest level for their excellence.
The Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site was selected as the 2024 Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership’s Test Organization of the Year on Jan. 9 at an awards ceremony in the Pentagon auditorium.
“This is an outstanding achievement,” said Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general. “I know we are all exceptionally proud of our team members at the Technical Center, and this award is just more confirmation of their excellence. I am proud to be a member of this ‘One Team’ and I am so glad to see our teammates receiving the recognition they deserve.”
RTS, a missile test range on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, primarily functions as a test facility for U.S. missile defense and space research programs. Supporting locally, the Soldiers and civilians assigned to RTS Operations Center – Huntsville have command and control for missile defense testing and for space operations at RTS despite being more than 6,500 miles from Kwajalein.
Dr. Keith A. Krapels, director of the USASMDC Technical Center, said during the nomination period, RTS successfully supported 12 major flight tests and expertly dealt with unprecedented challenges like a rogue wave that flooded areas of the test range and damaged infrastructure and sensors vital for RTS support to customers.
“Their stellar performance during this period reflects their status as the premier missile and space test range within the Department of Army and Department of Defense,” Krapels said. “A successful recovery and return to operational status are a testament to the technical ability, resilience and versatility within RTS. Their test contributions will have a lasting strategic impact to the defense missile and space community.”
Lt. Col. Casey A. Rumfelt, RTS range director, said to be recognized amongst the testing community is a true honor and speaks to the dedication of the team in supporting what they all believe, that testing is critical.
“RTS, both on Kwajalein and ROC-H, have worked so hard and overcome so many things to make 2024 a success,” Rumfelt said. “They are the best at what they do and have a passion for this island, the Marshall Islands, The Department of Defense and most of all, testing. They know how important the mission of testing is within DOD and the systems we support; they make it work. They are the unsung superheroes within the Defense Department and this award means a great deal to them.
“Specifically, in 2024 the effort involved to support testing has been very high,” he added. “RTS started 2024 off with a rogue wave that really knocked the wind out of us, yet the team has prevailed.”
Douglas R. Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, said the award honors teams whose dedication, innovation and leadership provide the Army with the cutting-edge capabilities needed to stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape.
“This is a tremendous honor and one for which to be very proud,” Bush said. “The pool of candidates this year was especially competitive, and the fact that your team stood out among them demonstrates a truly outstanding accomplishment.”
| Date Taken: | 01.15.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2025 10:49 |
| Story ID: | 489153 |
| Location: | REDSTONE ARSENAL, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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