SpOC Guardian and Airman receive 2022 NDIA awards

  • Published
  • By Capt Melissa Crisostomo
  • Space Operations Command
Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colo --  The Rocky Mountain Chapter of National Defense Industrial Association awarded the 2022 General James V. Hartinger Award and the Patriot Award to a Guardian and an Airman from Space Operations Command during the 39th Annual NDIA Ball at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Aug. 19, 2022. 

U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, SpOC commander, received the Hartinger Award, while U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew P. New, Mission Assurance Flight Chief at the 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, received the Patriot Award.  

“We’re proud to recognize our local service members who continue to pave the way for space, inspire the next generation and accelerate America’s military space mission,” said Mr. Phil Kwong, president of NDIA’s Rocky Mountain Chapter.
 
The Patriot Award is designed to recognize exceptional Americans in service to their country who have demonstrated a profound and abiding love of country and whose inspirational leadership, actions, and selfless dedication symbolize our nation’s ideals, values, and founding principles. 

Whiting designed and stood up the Space Operations Command (SpOC), including transfer of the space launch mission to Space Systems Command and transfer of Space Training and Readiness (STAR) Delta to STARCOM, while collapsing two levels of command. 

“General Whiting is delivering a ‘Fight-Tonight Force,’” said Mr. Kwong. “He embodies all the values the Hartinger Award represents and continues to make lasting contributions to the U.S. military space mission.”

The General James V. Hartinger Award is named after the first commander of the U.S. Air Force Space Command. Since 1984, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NDIA has presented this annual award in recognition of outstanding achievements in the U.S. military space mission. 
 
Whiting joins the ranks of past Hartinger Award recipients including Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin L. Powell. He expressed gratitude for the award and said he is humbled to be recognized and proud of the professionals at SpOC who make the mission happen every day. 
 
“It is an honor to be selected for such a prestigious award,” Whiting said. “This award is truly a reflection of the Guardians, Airmen and civilians across Space Operations Command who conduct space operations and combat support missions across the world to protect Americans and our allies.”  
 
The Patriot Award recognizes exceptional U.S. military personnel in the enlisted grades, company grade officers, warrant officers, government civilians and Air Force Academy cadets whose leadership, actions and dedication embody our nation’s ideals, values and founding principles. 

New leads a 5-member team and is responsible for overseeing the Cyber Security and network infrastructure for the Secure Global Network across three squadrons executing premier Space Electromagnetic Warfare operations. 

While maintaining exceptional performance in his military duties, New spent his time outside of the mission dedicating to local organizations and schools which directly impact current and next generation leaders. 
 
"I'm grateful to receive this award, but I'm even more grateful for my teammates at the 5th EWS, my mentors, and my family who've helped me get to where I am today," New said. "Giving back to the youth in our community and helping shape the future is truly special and keeps me motivated every day.” 
 
As the SpOC commander, Whiting leads thousands of Guardians and Airmen, military and civilian alike, in the generation, presentation and sustainment of intelligence, cyber, space and combat support forces. SpOC is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, and serves as the USSF service component to U.S. Space Command. 
 

 

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