ALEXANDRIA, Va., (USTCNS) --- A Surface Deployment and Distribution Command unit has received the top organizational recognition for all federal organizations in the Pacific region for 2004.

The 599th Transportation Group, Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii, was presented the Excellence in Federal Government award for the Pacific Ocean region.

The award was received June 9 at the 48th Annual Excellence in Federal Government Awards luncheon in Honolulu to an audience of 1,000.

"Absolutely, overwhelming," said Col. Tom Harvey, commander. "We do our utmost to perform our mission and look out for our people. It is very reassuring to be selected for this honor.

"I am so proud of the great team throughout the Pacific that made this possible."

The 599th commands three port terminal units, the 835th Transportation Battalion, Okinawa, Japan; the 836th Transportation Battalion, Yokohama, Japan; and the 837th Transportation Battalion,. Pusan, Korea.

The award for the 599th Transportation Group comes at the very moment of an unprecedented development for the organization. Since mid-June the unit has deployed 30 Soldiers and civilians to Kuwait to manage all Operation Iraqi Freedom shipments for the next six months. The team will include Reserve augmentees.

The award selection for the 599th came from among a dozen finalists that included: Tripler Army Medical Center; Command, Control and Communications, U.S. Pacific Command; Director of Logistics, U.S. Army Group Hawaii; and Defense Energy Support Center Japan.

The kudos for the 599th did not end there.

Carlos Tibbetts, of the group's operations center, was selected as the winner in the Federal Employee of the Year (Professional, Administrative, Technical) category from a group of 28 finalists from all over Hawaii and the Pacific.

"I am most appreciative-mostly I am humbled," said Tibbetts. "We do our best at all times. To receive this honor from such a field of professionals is beyond my farthest expectation.

"I can just say 'Thank you!' " said the retired Army Reserve Officer, who formerly worked in operations at SDDC Headquarters, Alexandria, Va.

The 599th award was presented to Harvey from Maj. Gen. Robert G. F. Lee, Adjutant General, Hawaii National Guard.

Tibbetts was unable to receive his award in person?he was at work on an overseas mission.