Russell Peterson received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award in a ceremony July 12 in Point Mugu, California.

Peterson, the Advanced Targets Branch head, also served as the acting deputy program manager and contracting officer’s representative for the Sub-Sonic Aerial Target Increment Two.

His team was responsible for delivering the Navy’s first high-subsonic target to meet the need for fleet self-defense system validation testing and pre-deployment weapons certification against modern threats. Peterson was credited with overseeing all government program technical matters for the advanced target program, guided the program’s contractor, and worked with a broad group of external stakeholders to efficiently ensure the entire product effort produced a modern threat representative target. 

Peterson is also known as the Navy’s technical expert for complex engineering modifications to the BQM-34S, BQM-74, and the Air Force’s and Army’s BQM-167 and MQM-107 targets, and his citation praises his ability to “consistently demonstrate proficiency, keen insight, and excellent problem-solving abilities above and beyond your peers. When called upon to lead others in resolving complex issues, you have humbly risen to the occasion and succeeded in every endeavor.”

Rear Adm. Keith Hash, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division commander, noted that it’s often the quiet teams, the humble leaders that accomplish so much for the fleet.

“You have served our Navy and our warfighters tremendously,” Hash said. “Because of your team, we have a training tool for our ships who are going into harm’s way.”

In nominating Peterson for the award, Kevin Gross, Threat/Target Systems Department head, noted that in addition to being a technical expert, he is also an “engaged and motivational supervisor who developed a close-knit and highly effective team.”

That sentiment bore out in how Peterson chose to accept the accolades.

“I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of very talented, wonderful people over the years,” he said about why he believes he received the NMCS award. “That is why I will accept this award as a team award on behalf of all those who have worked so hard to make today happen. It’s for all of us.”