Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach received the 2008 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) 2008 Shore Safety award (small industry category) for improvement of base safety standards in a ceremony held March 18. The station will also be awarded the CNO's award for Environmental Quality (industrial category) for preservation of the ecosystem surrounding the base in a ceremony to be held in June.

Commanding Officer, NAVWPNSTA Seal Beach, Capt. Jonathan Kurtz, said his team has created a culture of continuous improvement specifically aligned with the Navy's mission requirements and community concerns. His team also includes outside organizations, such as Orange County Water District, South Coast Air Quality Management District and others.

"Winning is becoming a habit here at Seal Beach," Kurtz added. "Last year, we won several awards across a number of programs, including awards up to the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense level. Many of our awards are reflections not just of the hard work of the program personnel, but of the entire workforce who comply with our winning discipline every day and make a conscious effort to do the right thing."

"For years, it has been a very high priority of ours to preserve the natural refuge surrounding Seal Beach and make the public aware of our efforts by hosting special tours of the station's marsh and upland habitat, and reaching out to local schools and organizations to discuss the importance of protecting the coastal salt marsh habitat," said David Baillie, installation environmental program manager. "We can directly attribute our successes to a cooperative effort between the Navy and civilians; each entity contributes significantly and presents a unique and valuable aspect to achieving our goals. We are proud of being CNO award recipients, but more so, proud of our accomplishments."

In the same week that the base won these awards, the Department of Defense announced the approval of 7.7 million in construction projects at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. These projects are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that will provide direct economic benefit to communities surrounding military bases throughout the country. The approved projects include three separate photovoltaic (solar cell) projects and upgrades to several base administrative buildings. Each of these projects will begin once necessary planning functions are completed and appropriate contracting mechanisms are put in place. ARRA funds must be expended by Sept. 10, 2010.

“We are proud of the Navy’s longstanding partnerships with our friends and neighbors in the communities that surround our bases and support our Sailors,” said Rear Admiral Len Hering, Commander, Navy Region Southwest. “ARRA is an excellent opportunity for both the Navy and our civilian partners to further extend the already significant economic impact that our partnership has in this Region."

Commissioned in 1944, NAVWPNSTA Seal Beach is 5,000 acres and is the headquarters for Navy Munitions Command CONUS West Division, which provides a strategic munitions point for San Diego-based combatant ships. The station is also home to the 911-acre Seal Beach Wildlife Refuge and is one of the last natural wetland preserves in Southern California.