Dec. 11, 2018
Washington, DC—This afternoon, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, was awarded the Department of the Air Force Commander's Public Service Award in a ceremony at the Pentagon. The award is the highest level award granted by the Secretary of the Air Force to a non-employee civilian.
Senator Hatch shown with Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson.
Click here for video of the ceremony.
According to Department guidelines, the Secretary of the Air Force Distinguished Public Service award is awarded to private citizens who have personally made a profound contribution on the national level, and which represent substantial progress to the Air Force mission. Prominent among those contributions are his efforts to preserve the viability of Utah’s Hill Air Force Base, and to ensure it plays a continued role in our national defense.
Statements of Support:
General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, Retired Air Combat Command Commander and 4-Star General
“I simply love Senator Hatch and marvel at all he did for our men and women in uniform. Thanks to him, our fighting force is better prepared and trained, and our civilian workforce is stronger than ever. He is a true servant to this Country and the men and women in uniform. We are a safer and more secure Nation because of him.”
Deborah Lee James, Former USAF Secretary
“Senator Hatch has served this country with distinction and honor. Through his work, we have a stronger fighting force, better and more cost-effective weapon systems and better training resources. Our men and women in uniform are better off because of his service in the United States Senate.”
Lieutenant General Christopher Bogdan, Retired Head of the F-35 Program Office
“Senator Hatch is one of the finest gentlemen I’ve met in my entire life. He’s a fantastic leader, he is an honor to this country, and we need more like him. He has done more in the Senate to dispel rumors about the F-35 and to bring the truth and the facts out more than any other statesman I know of. He does it in a way that is trustworthy and credible, he deals with the facts, he gets above the politics, and he is a fabulous supporter of the airplane.”
Senator Hatch’s work with the Air Force:
- Negotiated on behalf of the new F-35 to lower the unit price, increase the buys and improve sustainment
- Secured funding for F-22 maintenance equipment at Hill Air Force Base in Utah
- Further cemented Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) as the premier test range, allowing for future uses of 5th Generation and hypersonic weapons
- Supported the civilian workforce a Hill Air Force Base
- Improved readiness capabilities across the Air Force
- Worked to protect defense budgets
- Developed DoD Software capabilities
- Ensured access to space through launch vehicles
- Tirelessly supported the nuclear triad
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All official press releases from Former Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
