By Susan Read
NAWCWD Public Affairs

In a garden ceremony witnessed by family, friends and co-workers, Terry Dougherty was presented with the Superior Civilian Service Award and Medal on April 6 by Vice Adm. David J. Venlet, commander of the Naval Air Systems Command. Dougherty received the Navy’s second highest honorary award for civilians for exceptional leadership and service to the warfighter. Among those present to honor Dougherty were his wife, Keely, children Sean, Megan, Aubrea, and stepchildren Gregory, Sean and Cassie.

Dougherty joined the China Lake workforce as a member of the Junior Professional Program in 1982, directly after graduation from Washington State University. He is currently the director of the Threat Infrared Weapons Office, responsible for a team of scientists and engineers who test and evaluate threat infrared and electo-optical air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons systems. He has also been pivotal in the development and operations of the Threat Signal Processer-in-the-Loop (T-SPIL) facility, which incorporates actual threat signal processing hardware, real-time detailed scene/target generation and a world-unique real-time scene convolver to allow analysis of threat anti-air missile response, including countermeasure effectiveness, aircraft hit distribution and acquisition range prediction.

Accolades were received from around the fleet, particularly from the U.S. Marine Corps’ helicopter community which relies on the progressive, real-time evaluations that Dougherty and his team provide.

“It is one thing to be well respected inside the test community. I believe this to be achievable by most,” said Capt. Jeff Sykes, VX-9 AH-1W Operational Test Director. “However, to be respected and sought after for advice in the fleet, well, now you’re someone special. Terry accomplished this and is well respected by the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics School, the various Marine Air Groups and, undoubtedly, by countless test community aviators.”

Lt. Col. Christopher Mattei, executive officer, Marine Aviation Detachment China Lake echoed the support from Dougherty. “Terry has become the trusted resource in NAVAIR when considering IR threat and survivability. Project managers and commanders in the USMC are comfortable basing acquisition and tactical decisions on his results. Everyone you talk to in the field knows the quality of his work.”

The nomination cited Dougherty as a world leader in the field of countermeasure effectiveness analysis. “The T-SPIL relies on experts from many disciplines,” the nomination reads. “However, to understand and orchestrate them in the construction of a system-of-systems requires expertise almost singularly held by Mr. Dougherty. His efforts will also influence the design of future naval aircraft and their protection systems.”

As Venlet pinned the medal on Dougherty’s shirt, he noted that the celebration of the award is for a career that impacts far beyond the programs and processes. “The people who have learned under Terry’s influence will carry on from generation to generation with the superior service that we honor here today.”

Following a hearty round of applause, Dougherty expressed his thanks by turning the attention to his team. “I have truly been able to do this work with a large group of people who have developed something unique. Team is what matters – a strong core team who view the warfighter as the main reason we’re here. Let’s face it, civilians have it easy. We work all day and get to go home to our families at night, safe and sound. The folks we support are at war, far away from home and family. The warfighter is what motivates you to give them the best.”

The standing ovation lasted several minutes and on an adjacent table, the celebratory cake awaited. But the words of Maj. Kristian Pfeiffer from his post far away sum up the man duly honored for superior civilian service: “Terry always made himself available, always willing to go to squadron ready rooms and sit down with pilots. He understood that we are at war and worked hours similar to the squadrons preparing to deploy. He took a personal interest in our mission effectiveness and well-being. He is brilliant, generous, humble, self-effacing and thoughtful.”

“After three-plus years at VX-9 and working with Terry,” Pfeiffer concluded, “he has earned my unconditional loyalty and utmost respect. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I am a better, safer pilot because of my interaction with Terry Dougherty.”

Photo by Greg Turnbaugh
Vice Adm. David J. Venlet presents Terry Dougherty with a Navy Superior Civilian Service Award and Medal as Keely Dougherty looks on.