Sailors and Marines of Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) received the Rear Adm. William Raborn award July 6 from Rear Adm. Stephen Johnson, director, Strategic Systems Command.

The Raborn Award is named for Adm. William “Red” Raborn, the first director of Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). 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.

The Raborn award provides commands within the 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, team work of the unique civilian, military, contractor make up 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, a native of Chicago, Ill. “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,” he said.

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 team work 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,” he said.