Secretary’s Unit Award 2016

This award recognizes any unit within the Department with outstanding team achievements in operational areas such as law enforcement, aviation, cybersecurity, border patrol, and hiring, acquisition and information technology. The work will have resulted in measurable improvements in employee morale and engagement within and among members of the unit, superior performance, significant operational improvements, or notable innovation in support of DHS missions.

This year's winners are listed below, along with a description of their contributions and achievements:

For unprecedented interagency collaboration for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative that increased the operational availability of partner Nations’ coast guard assets.

Caribbean Basin Security Initiative – Technical Assistance Field Team, USCG
Washington, D.C.

For outstanding collaboration at Joint Task Force West and the Southern Border Approaches Campaign in strengthening its automated systems to provide accurate and current immigration status of persons, to enhance our border and national security.

USCIS District 18 Unified Effort Team (San Antonio District), CIS
San Antonio, TX

In recognition of continued coordination and collaboration in the response and recovery efforts in the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

Flint Water Contamination Crisis Response and Recovery Team, FEMA
Washington, D.C.

For demonstrating outstanding innovation and collaboration to improve the functionality of the Report IP Theft form.

National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center - Report IP Theft Form, ICE
Washington, D.C.

For establishing itself as an expert on cyber threats to Federal networks across the intelligence enterprise.

Cyber Division, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Washington, D.C.

Office of Intelligence and Analysis
DHS, Headquarters

For superb management of the 2015 Typhoon Soudelor response while facilitating the safety of all responders during the first 24-hour relief period.

USCG Sector Guam Typhoon Incident Response Team, USCG
Guam

In recognition of exemplary work and detailed analysis that enabled the Administration to meet its goal of accepting 10,000 Syrian refugees during the Syrian crisis.

Refugee Analysis Section
Washington, D.C.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Office of Intelligence and Analysis

For providing decision-making information and operational test phases regarding acquisitions across the Department that resulted in five major recommendations for improved program management and growth in this field.

Office of Test and Evaluation, S&T
Washington, D.C.

In recognition of outstanding teamwork in successfully accomplishing TSA’s largest single training initiative, Mission Essential Threat Mitigation, in response to a series of screening challenges.

TSA OIA Field Intelligence Team, TSA
Washington, D.C.

For demonstrated commitment to excellence and innovation focused on assessing and deploying emerging capabilities to enhance aviation security.

Innovation Task Force, TSA
Washington, D.C.

For identifying and implementing improved business processes for award closeouts for FY 2015, clearing 12,000 backlogged grant award, and de-obligating over $239 million which was returned to the U.S. Treasury.

FEMA Grant Programs Directorate Team, FEMA
Washington, D.C.