U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Satellite Meteorological Applications Section Chief, Jeffrey Hawkins, is recognized by the U.S. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) for significant leadership in the effectiveness analysis group for the Space Based Environmental Monitoring Analysis of Alternatives Concepts program. Hawkins was selected from 88 participants in the study that lasted from August 2012 to August 2013.
The team addressed current and future capability gaps in sensing three key meteorological and oceanic parameters; ocean surface vector winds, tropical cyclone intensity, and theater weather imagery, critical in supporting Navy and Department of Defense (DoD) global forces.
Mr. Hawkins' leadership in developing high quality, timely, and relevant modeling analyses was instrumental in gaining AFSPC endorsement, said Dr. Simon Chang, superintendent, NRL Marine Meteorology Division. He coordinated a cohesive Navy effort to bring appropriate analytical experts into the joint working group, delivering the required modeling analysis on time and within budget.
Hawkins is specifically recognized for presenting exceptional educational briefings and providing valuable demonstration of how space based sensing supports global DoD operations by producing daily high quality environmental forecasts. In recognition of his leadership and dedication, Hawkins was conferred a plaque and letter of appreciation for Most Outstanding Analyst, presented by Maj. Gen. Martin Whelan, director of requirements, AFSPC.
Hawkins is a graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor's and master's degree in meteorology and began his professional career in meteorology at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division before working at what is now NRL's Oceanography Division in 1980 and then transferring in 1992 to the Marine Meteorology Division (MMD) located in Monterey, Calif.
Hawkins is a Fellow and member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), as well as a member of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), IEEE's Geophysics and Remote Sensing Society, and the Oceanography Society. He is also prior recipient of the Navy Meritorious Award, three NASA Group Achievement Awards, the AMS Special Act Award and two NRL Alan Berman Research Publication Awards.