Lyons Recognizes Duckworth, Courtney and Wittman Among the First to Receive the Inaugural Pegasus Award

Jun 1, 2021 | Partner News

GEN Stephen R. Lyons, USA, Commander, US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), presented US Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT 2nd Dist.) (left) and US Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA 1st Dist.) (right) the command’s Pegasus Award May 18, at the Capitol.

GEN Stephen R. Lyons, USA, Commander, US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), recognized US Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT 2nd Dist.) and US Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA 1st Dist.) with the command’s Pegasus Award May 18, at the Capitol. Due to a scheduling conflict, US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will be presented with her Pegasus Award at a later date.

This marks the inaugural bestowment of the award, which recognizes individuals or groups as strong proponents of USTRANSCOM and its mission to project and sustain the Joint Force in support of national objectives. Future presentations of the award will be made during the annual, co-hosted USTRANSCOM and NDTA Fall Meeting.

Duckworth is a leader on the Senate Armed Services Committee and has supported and promoted legislation aimed at defining logistical needs of the Defense Department (DOD) for today’s needs and for emerging requirements. Lyons said, “Her support for the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise and her clear articulation of the need for logistics capabilities—both military and commercial—have helped USTRANSCOM in its support of the National Defense Strategy.”

Courtney and Wittman have advanced legislation to improve logistics capabilities needed for national defense. Lyons specifically recalled their strong support for recapitalization of the aging Ready Reserve Force, facilitating the use of commercial vessels from the Maritime Security Program and paving the way for purchasing commercial vessels for DOD use. “Their efforts and advocacy have ensured US-flag tanker vessel capacity that USTRANSCOM must have to perform its mission,” he said. “Likewise, they’ve championed efforts to maintain air refueling capabilities for global operations, ensuring DOD’s global reach in peace and war.”

“In Greek mythology, Pegasus represented science, intellect, and understanding,” said Lyons, explaining how he chose the award’s name. “Those qualities underpin the keys to conducting globally-integrated mobility operations, and Sen. Duckworth, Rep. Courtney and Rep. Wittman embody these traits.”

USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing. Powered by dedicated men and women, USTRANSCOM underwrites the lethality of the Joint Force, advances American interests around the globe, and provides our nation’s leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options, while creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries.

 

By USTRANSCOM Public Affairs

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