From left: Col. Marvin J. Mcburrows, Maj. Owen D. Morris, Alvina G. Alcorta, Sheyla S. Salinas-Childers, and Gary Knittel, received certificates or recognition from U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Command Sgt. Maj. Bradford L. Smith signed by ATEC Commander Maj. Gen. Patrick L. Gaydon Dec. 10 at Headquarters. 

WSMR employees recognized by ATEC Commander

U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Command Sgt. Maj. Bradford L. Smith presented five White Sands Missile Range employees with awards for their support to the mission during the government shutdown Dec. 10 at WSMR Headquarters.

ATEC Commander Maj. Gen. Patrick L. Gaydon signed the certificates. Smith thanked the employees for their service and dedication to the mission.

Col. Marvin J. Mcburrows and Maj. Owen D. Morris received the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement during the lapse in appropriations, enabling the execution of over 150 test and evaluation events through prompt coordination across nine subordinate organizations and multiple external organizations to include Program Executive Offices and the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

Alvina G. Alcorta received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement while serving as a Security Specialist from Oc.t 1 through Nov. 13. Alcorta provided critical foreign visitor and escort support to numerous critical excepted test activities during the lapse in appropriations. Her late nights and early mornings supported Japanese Foreign Military Sales PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 missile tests and other agencies air missile defense efforts.

Sheyla S. Salinas-Childers received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement while serving as a Patriot Missile Engineer and Operations Supervisor from Oct. 1 through Nov. 13. Her expertise, professionalism and leadership were instrumental in executing numerous excepted and important activities during the lapse in appropriations culminating with a Patriot Field Surveillance Program test with multiple air-to-air engagement.

Gary Knittel received a Star Note for his dedication to duty, including in-person support, which was crucial in overseeing all communication connections in the South Range. Voluntary service during this period ensured operational continuity despite the shutdown.

Each of the awardees thanked their coworkers for their support.

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