In a ceremony held Nov. 17 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., the Secretary of Defense recognized Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW) as one of the top six outstanding maintenance facilities in the Department of Defense.

“I am extremely proud of FRC NW Sailors and civilians,” said Cmdr. Kimberly Schulz, FRCNW commanding officer. “They have earned the recognition that comes with the Maintenance Award and (this award) will be proudly displayed on our quarterdeck along with the 2000 and 2008 Secretary of Defense Maintenance awards.”

FRCNW is a medium-size field-level maintenance unit.

The nominees for the annual awards are judged on factors including mission accomplishment, effective use of maintenance resources and innovative management.

Winning the SECDEF award put FRCNW in the running for the Phoenix Award, the highest award for field-level maintenance within the DoD. However, this year Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 40 in Cherry Point, N.C., received well-deserved top honors as “best of the best” maintenance unit in the Department of Defense. 

The award ceremony was held as part of the 2010 DoD Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition.

Replicas of the Secretary of Defense Phoenix Trophy were presented to the winning units who may keep them on display until next year.