U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center News Release (Oct. 9, 2006): 2006 AAC Awards Ceremony recognizes acquisition stars.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The acquisition community held its 2006 U.S. Army Acquisition Corps (AAC) Awards Ceremony on Oct. 8, 2006, at the DoubleTree Crystal City Hotel. The event recognized the accomplishments of the acquisition workforce's most extraordinary members and the teams they lead. The ceremony's theme, "Celebrating Our Acquisition Stars," was a tribute to the uniformed and civilian professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to provide combatant commanders and their soldiers the weapons and equipment they need to execute decisive, full-spectrum operations as they protect our nation's precious freedom.

"We honor some of the outstanding men and women--military and civilian--of the Army Acquisition Corps and the greater Army acquisition, logistics and technology workforce," remarked Claude M. Bolton Jr., Army acquisition executive and assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology (ASAALT), who hosted the event. "It is clear that we have the world's best acquisition and logistics workforce to keep our Army the most capable land force on earth."

"We serve a nation at war and a military force that is transforming while fighting and winning the global war on terrorism," Bolton observed. "It is clear that we have charted the right course--increasing capability, flexibility, and sustainability--and that we must maintain the tremendous momentum we have built."

U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Deputy Director Col. Fred Mullins presided over the event as master of ceremonies. Current Army and retired senior leaders present included: Paul J. Hoeper, former ASAALT; Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Yakovac Jr., military deputy to the ASAALT and director, Acquisition Career Management; Lt. Gen. Steven Boutelle, Chief Information Officer, G-6; Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John S. Caldwell, former ASAALT military deputy; Tina Ballard, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (DASA) for Policy and Procurement; and Dr. Thomas H. Killion, DASA for Research and Technology and the Army's Chief Scientist. Representing the DASA for Integrated Logistics Support was Larry Hill.

The evening's presentations included the Secretary of the Army Excellence in Contracting Barbara C. Heald Award; Army Life Cycle Logistician of the Year Award; Department of the Army Research and Development Laboratory of the Year Awards; the Secretary of the Army Acquisition Director, Project and Product Managers of the Year Awards; and Army Acquisition Excellence Awards.

"One thing that I would like you to always remember is that we--each and every one of us--work for the soldier" Bolton explained. "Every day, America's warfighters stand ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. They face threats that change--quite literally--overnight, and their success in meeting these challenges rests on our shoulders."

For more information about the 2006 AAC Awards Ceremony, please contact Mike Roddin at [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) supports Army warfighter readiness by developing a world-class professional acquisition workforce, effectively acquiring and stewarding resources, and providing customers with the best possible products and services. For additional information about USAASC, visit <http://asc.army.mil>.