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SWFPAC Receives Raborn Award

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060712-02
Release Date: 7/12/2006 9:29:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mary Popejoy, Northwest Region Fleet Public Affairs Center

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines of Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) received the Raborn Award July 6 from Rear Adm. Stephen Johnson, director, Strategic Systems Command.

The Raborn award is given to commands within the Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) community, to highlight their successes and accomplishments during a year-long period.

It is designed to recognize excellence in the following fundamental areas: strategic planning and mission accomplishment, personnel achievement and upward mobility, education and training, community involvement, quality of life programs, adherence to and promotion of SSP core values, teamwork of the unique civilian, military and contractor makeup of the SSP community and innovation and technical excellence.

"This is the second consecutive year that SWFPAC has been awarded the Raborn Award, and it's the recognition our people are due for the outstanding work that is performed here," said Capt. Chuck Lasota, commanding officer, SWFPAC, and a native of Chicago. "We have an extraordinary team of talented technicians and engineers, and they execute flawlessly on a day-to-day basis, and for that they are highly deserving of this award."

The team aspect part of the award is what Chief Missile Technician (SS) Luis Talavera, Vertical Missile Packaging leading chief petty officer, a native of Monahans, Texas, believes put SWFPAC over the edge to win for the second year in a row.

"I think SWFPAC won this award because of the teamwork the Marines, Sailors, civilians and contractors have when completing each task," said Talavera. "Without any one of these entities, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. It's a team effort that we are able to do what we do."

The Raborn Award is named for Rear Adm. William “Red” Raborn, the first director of Strategic Systems Programs. Raborn delivered the first submarine-launched ballistic missile system five years ahead of schedule, leading technology in solid rocket propellants and guidance, and development of effective program management techniques.