Washington, DC - The Navy's annual Installation Excellence Award winners were announced today by Commander, Navy Installations Command.

This installation excellence award program recognizes the Navy's top three large and small installations, and rewards installation performance consistent with the command's strategic goals and Office of the Secretary of Defense criteria for the DoD-wide Commander in Chief Installation Excellence Awards.

The Navy's top installation winners, 2016 Large Category:

1st Place: Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island (led by Capt. M. K. Nortier)
2nd Place: NAS Lemoore (led by Capt. M. G. Ashliman)
3rd Place: Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (led by Capt. J. W. Jenks)

2016 Small Category:
1st Place: NAS Whiting Field (led by Capt. T. Bahlau)
2nd Place: Naval Air Facility El Centro (led by Capt. W. C. Doster)
3rd Place: Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg (led by Capt. R. Geisler)

"Competition this year was extremely keen, as each large and small installation nomination package was impressive and spoke to the myriad of great accomplishments that these installation teams have made. I am proud of their collective accomplishments, outstanding leadership and world class support to the fleet, fighter, and family," said the Commander, Navy Installations Command, Vice Adm. Dixon Smith.

NAS Whidbey Island will represent the Navy in competition with other military services for the Department of Defense Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence, which recognizes outstanding efforts in the operations and maintenance of U.S. military installations.

"Congratulations go out to Capt. Nortier and all the men and women of NAS Whidbey Island who worked tirelessly to make this happen," said Smith.

Supporting the fleet, fighter and family, Navy Installations Command is comprised of more than 50,000 Sailors and civilian employees located at 70 installations in 11 regions worldwide.