Red River Army Depot’s vigilance at protecting those who support the Warfighter has once again paid off for the east Texas depot. The Department of the Army recently selected winners for the FY14 Best Antiterrorism Program with Red River receiving the top award in Category D making this is eighth consecutive year Red River has won an antiterrorism award, an unparalleled achievement Army-wide.
Nominations were selected from commands throughout the Army with winners selected by the Army G-3/5/7, Antiterrorism Awards Board.
“This award is a culmination of all the hard work the Red River Army Depot team has put in to making our protection program one of best in the Army,” said RRAD Commander Col. Brandon L. Grubbs. “The team continues to set a high standard of excellence which is proven by how many times the depot has received the award.”
This year’s award looked at several areas of achievement at RRAD including the integration of the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) with adjudication for vetting contractors, improving the installation barrier plan and improving critical vulnerabilities for security holds on commercial shipping. The depot’s award submission also highlights the implementation of outstanding training efforts in preparing the Red River workforce for active shooter incidents as well as keeping the workforce informed of all antiterrorism matters.
“Winning this award is not the result of one person’s actions, but a combination of the entire depot’s support and efforts,” said Wally Embrey, Director for Emergency Services. “The Red River workforce, tenant workforce, contractors, mutual aid partners and family members of all of these components are our sensors and an integral part of the protection program. This team effort is what makes us so successful.”
Another successful part of Red River’s protection program is the iWatch — See Something, Say Something campaign. According to the depot’s emergency services’ officials, members of Red River’s workforce are very observant and report suspicious activity regularly.
“Receiving an 8th-straight award proves that we are doing the right things with the right assets to protect the Red River Army Depot workforce and its mission from those who want to do us harm,” said Scott Van Zile, Installation Antiterrorism Officer. “Keeping our depot and this community safe is our highest priority.”