JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Department of the Air Force dominated the 2025 Department of Defense Environmental Awards, entering and winning seven of nine categories.
The awards recognize installations, teams and individuals for their exceptional achievements in effective environmental management strategies that enhance installation resilience and mission readiness.
For 63 years, the DoD Environmental Awards have recognized Department of Defense military members and civilians who make significant contributions to protect natural and cultural resources, human health, and the environment. The DAF's commitment to environmental protection improves quality of life for Airmen, Guardians, their families, and surrounding communities while protecting the natural environments essential for mission success and readiness. A panel of judges from federal and state agencies, academia and the private sector evaluated nominations from DOD Components to determine the 2025 winners.
The winners are:
Sustainability Team | Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
The Moody AFB Sustainability Team advanced sustainability by replacing more than 4,000 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “PFAS”-free alternative, launching a profitable recycling program that diverted two million pounds of waste, and generating $90,000 through timber sales. The team improved pharmacy waste handling, cutting container use by 50 percent, and strengthened partnerships with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to promote environmental conservation education.
Cultural Resources Management, Team | Kadena Air Base, Japan
The Kadena AB Cultural Resources Management Team led extensive preservation efforts, including surveys uncovering ancient tombs, a 200-year-old Inomaki forest, and 96 cultural features during fence line excavations. The discovery of the forest provides a unique opportunity to source authentic materials for the Shuri Castle United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site restoration. The Kadena team went to Bellows Air Force Station, where they formalized a Native American Graves and Repatriation Act agreement with native Hawaiian organizations and hosted outreach events where more than170 volunteers helped recover and protect ancestral remains. Collaboration with local leaders, including typhoon recovery at a sacred shrine, further deepened ties and demonstrated the Air Force’s commitment to cultural stewardship.
Sustainability, Non-Industrial Installation | Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Eglin AFB combined environmental innovation with mission support by creating an artificial reef and subscribing to 75 megawatts of solar power, projected to save $2 million over the course of 10 years. The base stabilized 1,400 feet of the Yellow River, reduced hazardous emissions, exceeded waste diversion goals, and advanced wildfire detection using smart grid technology.
Environmental Quality, Industrial Installation | Hill Air Force Base, Utah
Hill AFB advanced sustainability by upgrading to ultra-low nitrous oxide boilers, reducing pollution and boosting energy efficiency. It remains the only large-scale site for missile motor disposal via open burn or open detonation, with strong environmental oversight. Hill deepened partnerships with 22 tribes, helped protect 2.7 million acres through the Great Salt Lake Sentinel Landscape, automated aerosol can-processing, and enabled the first commercial space capsule landing at Utah Test and Training Range.
Environmental Restoration, Installation | Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
Holloman AFB accelerated environmental cleanup by completing 20 restoration projects and achieving site closure 6.5 years ahead of DoD goals, saving over $78,000 in fees. A $2.2 million PFAS investigation confirmed no drinking water impacts, while munitions and explosives of concern cleanup at a former landfill removed 435 hazards without incident. Advanced geophysical scanning reduced potential targets by 80 percent, and fuel plume delineation finished 2.5 years early. Holloman’s land farm cut $25 million in disposal costs, reduced emissions, and recycled treated soil—highlighting its commitment to safe, efficient, and sustainable remediation.
Natural Resources Conservation, Large Installation | Hill Air Force Base, Utah
The Natural Resources Program at Hill AFB restored 752 acres at the Utah Test and Training Range in FY23-24, planting native species to support wildlife and pollinators. The program banded Golden Eagle chicks at 18 nests, advancing conservation research, and enhanced fire mitigation through strategic firebreaks and target placement. Tech-driven improvements boosted field efficiency by 40 percent, while wildlife efforts included water guzzlers, species tagging, and long-term habitat monitoring. A new trail pollinator garden and kiosks further support education, biodiversity, and Monarch butterfly conservation.
Environmental Quality, Overseas Installation | Kadena Air Base, Japan
Kadena AB received commendation for removing a major irritant by eliminating 23,000 gallons of water from a Fire Training Area basin. The base completed a $1.3 million stormwater survey to prioritize repairs and protect infrastructure. Kadena exceeded DAF recycling goals with a 95 percent diversion rate and boosted waste-to-energy efforts by 44 percent. Sustainable hazardous material practices saved $58,000 annually, while volunteers led island-wide cleanups. At Bellows Air Base, Hawaii, native plantings and cat removal enabled a growing colony of indigenous Wedge-Tailed Shearwaters, rising from four to over 100 nests in two years.