Dover brings home two AMC Antiterrorism Awards Published April 25, 2006 By 2nd Lt. Christina Sukach 436th AW Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Dover Air Force Base dominated the antiterrorism awards handed out by Air Mobility Command this year, walking away with two of the three command-level awards. Competing against all other bases in AMC, Dover won the Installation Level Best Antiterrorism Program Award and the Operational Unit Level Best Antiterrorism Program Award, garnered by the 436th Security Forces Squadron. "The installation award is the most coveted and prestigious of the awards since its cross-functional focus shows the team approach," said Mike Mendoza, 436th Airlift Wing AT advisor. "This award takes into account the whole team, including every organization on the base." "It also validated other assessments we've had from outside agencies," said Mr. Mendoza, referring to the recent Joint Staff Integrated Vulnerability Assessment - a Department of Defense-level inspection that takes place every three years - for which Dover's AT program received multiple accolades and a rating of outstanding. Mr. Mendoza's comments were echoed by the winners of the AMC Operational Unit Level antiterrorism award. "Recent higher headquarters' vulnerability assessments and inspections validated our excellent security measures, installation entry policies and security training," said Capt. Thomas Sebastiani, 436th SFS operations officer and acting squadron commander. "Implementation of technology upgrades also increased our capabilities to deter and detect security violations around our perimeter," said Capt. Sebastiani, referring to the new installation entry gates and the mobile X-Ray van employed in the search pit - just two of the items featured in this year's award package. Technology was not the only reason Dover garnered the antiterrorism awards. "The men and women of the 436th Security Forces Squadron constantly provide solid installation security to protect U.S. Air Force employees and assets," said Capt. Sebastiani. "We are justifiably proud of this special award for our security forces Airmen who work so hard every day to make sure Dover Air Force Base is 100 percent secure." The heart of the installation antiterrorism award is the base's Antiterrorism/Force Protection working group, according to Mr. Mendoza. The working group is comprised of subject matter experts from various squadrons and agencies from across the base, who address antiterrorism and force protection vulnerabilities and issues. This year's AMC installation level and operational unit-level antiterrorism awards are not the first wins for the base. In fact, Dover has won successive annual installation, unit or program manager antiterrorism awards since 1998. These two winning programs will go on to compete for the Air Force-level awards.