DoN Personnel Receive Adm. Stanley R. Arthur Awards for Logistics Excellence

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Jonathan Hutto, Defense Media Activity - Anacostia

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The annual Adm. Stanley R. Arthur Awards for Logistics Excellence were presented to Department of the Navy logistical employees at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., June 10.

The awards were established in 1997 to annually recognize individuals and specially-formed logistics teams that exemplify logistics professionalism and excellence.

Cmdr. Thomas Graebner, from Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Puget Sound, Wash., was named as the 2009 Military Logistician of the Year at the ceremony.

Daniel Hohman, from Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) in Mechanicsburg, Pa., was named as the 2009 Civilian Logistician of the Year.

Commander, 2nd Fleet's Logistics Readiness Center in Norfolk received the 2009 Operational Logistics Team of the Year award.

The F402 Aircraft Engine Logistics Team from NAVICP Philadelphia was named as the 2009 Acquisition Logistics Team of the Year.

Vice Adm. Bill Burke, deputy chief of naval operations for logistics and readiness, introduced retired Adm. Stanley Arthur to present awards.

"Rear Adm. Henry Eccles said, 'The essence of flexibility is in the mind of the commander; the substance of flexibility is in logistics,'" said Burke. "Without logistically ready forces, a commander's options are extremely limited - he will not have much flexibility. But, with logistically ready forces, only the mind of the commander limits the art of the what's possible."

Arthur thanked the awardees for their commitment and dedication.

"Logistics continues to be the backbone for our Navy/Marine Corps operating units," said Arthur. "The operating forces do an exceptional job of doing the day to day maintenance of their equipment, but without the logistics team acquiring the spares, providing rework facilities, documentation and trend analysis, their efforts would not be sufficient to keep the force fully operational."