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Navy captain awarded high military honors

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Navy Capt. Mike Saunders, 33rd Operations Group deputy commander, was presented the Defense Superior Service Medal Nov. 16 at the 33rd Fighter Wing.

"Only two individuals in the U.S. Strategic Command receive this decoration each year, which speaks volumes about Captain Saunders' leadership, talent and ability," said Col. Dave Hlatky, 33rd FW commander. "We're extremely fortunate to have Captain Saunders in our new joint endeavor, and he's a shining example of the caliber of individual all the services have contributed to our team."

The award was presented by Kenneth Callicutt, Director of Capability and Resource Integration, U.S. Strategic Command and member of the Senior Executive Service, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

Captain Saunders received the award for his accomplishments while he was assigned at the command as the Capability and Resource Analysis Division chief from July 2007 to May 2009.  According to the award citation, he directly contributed to increased innovation in a variety of areas including joint aerial layer communications, space situation awareness and geospatial standards.

USSTRATCOM integrates and coordinates the necessary command and control capability to provide support with the most accurate and timely information for the president, the secretary of defense, other national leadership and regional combatant commanders. It is one of the Department of Defense's unified commands.

The Defense Superior Service Medal is awarded to military personnel for non-combat meritorious achievement or service while serving with or assigned to a number of joint activities including the Secretary of Defense, organizations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and headquarters of joint commands.