Good news came Dec. 1 to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU), Whidbey Island from Vice Adm. William R. Burke, deputy chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics.

The unit learned they had won the 2010 Navy Community Service Program Environmental/Stewardship Flagship Award for Small Shore Facility.

Each year the Navy recognizes Shore, Sea and Overseas commands for outstanding community service, including service that promotes good stewardship of environmental resources. Honorable mention for the same category went to Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Sailors, Marines and civilian employees from CNATTU jointly volunteered 780 hours last April in the annual Earth Day clean-up of base housing areas and beaches, and in the Dumpster Dive to sort through trash that is still being thrown away that is recyclable. The group also spent another 104 hours outside the air station gates in the Adopt-A-Highway clean-up as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation program.

ìIt’s a privilege as a Sailor or Marine to be part of a program like this,î said Cmdr. David A. Latosky, CNATTU Commanding Officer. “We believe we earn that privilege by being responsible leaders and organizers enhancing those community programs and associations; as a neighbor, and steward of our environment leaving it viable and intact for our youth to inherit.”

Other top winners were: Medium Shore, Naval Base San Diego; Large Shore, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.; Small Sea, FBM Operational Test Support Unit Two, Cape Canaveral, Fla.; Medium Sea, USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19); Large Sea, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

“Bravo Zulu to the winners and honorable mention commands, and thanks to all commands and individuals who participated,” said Burke. “Your caring and dedication in protecting our environment reflects yet another way in which our Navy is a global force for good.”