NDIA's SO/LIC Division to Present Its Highest Awards to Mr. James W. Cluck and Lt Gen Donald C. Wurster, USAF (Ret)
Arlington, VA (PRWEB) October 18, 2013 -- NDIA’s (National Defense Industrial Association) SO/LIC (Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict) Division is pleased to announce that it will present its highest awards, the R. Lynn Rylander Award and the DeProspero Lifetime Achievement Award, to Mr. James W. Cluck, former Acquisition Executive, USSOCOM, and Lt Gen Donald C. Wurster, USAF (Ret), former Commander, AFSOC, respectively.
NDIA’s SO/LIC Division Chair, Mr. Samuel P. Morthland, and the Division membership will present the awards at its Annual Awards Banquet on February 10, 2014, which is being held in conjunction with the 25th Annual SO/LIC Symposium & Exhibition, February 10-12, 2014 in Washington, DC at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park.
Mr. James W. Cluck, former Acquisition Executive, USSOCOM, will receive the R. Lynn Rylander Award in recognition of his lifelong and significant contributions to our country. Having served as an Officer, enlisted member, and DoD civilian, he retired as the USSOCOM Acquisition Executive, having revolutionized the manner and speed with which SOF acquires mission critical capabilities. His comprehensive strategic plan to “Accelerate the Force” had immediate, measureable combat impacts around the globe, and also built USSOCOM’s acquisition element into a highly focused team that is now the benchmark for other acquisition organizations.
The Award is named for R. Lynn Rylander, a Department of Defense civilian who was an early advocate and activist on the revitalization of Special Operations Forces and the organizational and legislative changes required to sustain them; and who was a founding member of the organization, which is now the SO/LIC Division of NDIA.
Lt Gen Donald C. Wurster, USAF (Ret), former Commander, AFSOC, will receive the DeProspero Lifetime Achievement Award. Over a 38-year career, he fought the battle of aging aircraft and complex logistics, succeeding as a spectacular advocate for game-changing SOF aerial capabilities, without which the past dozen years of war could not have been won, to include the CV-22, unique types of mobility airframes, and the SOF UAV force.
The DeProspero Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes sustained, distinguished service of an individual who has made distinctive lifetime contributions with significant impact in the areas of Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflict, or Irregular Warfare. The Award is named for Colonel Albert A. DeProspero, a retired Army Special Forces Colonel who was a founding member and eventual Chairman of the NDIA SO/LIC Division, and a lifelong supporter of and advocate for the SO/LIC community.
Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict forces will continue their worldwide missions despite the drawdowns in the Middle East and budgetary constraints. Our nation will need to support SO and LIC forces across vast distances, in inhospitable terrain, and with minimal U.S. support. Effective support of U.S. and partner-nation SO/LIC forces will require a network of government, industry, and international partners to leverage the capabilities of each and minimize cost. This 25th Anniversary NDIA SO/LIC Symposium will explore integrating worldwide partners into support for global SO/LIC employment.
For further information on the awards dinner or the larger event, go to http://www.ndia.org/meetings/4880.
About NDIA: The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America’s leading Defense Industry association promoting national security. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between Industry and Government on National Security issues. NDIA members foster the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders through our divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events.
Meredith Hawley, CMP, NDIA, +1 703-247-9476, [email protected]
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