Indian Head, Md. – Lt. Patrick Gest, Expeditionary Exploitation Unit ONE (EXU-1), received the Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman Leadership Award in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Sept. 30. Kauffman organized the first U.S. Navy Demolition Team in 1943 and is widely regarded as one of the forefathers of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). The annual award is presented to an EOD officer who serves in a platoon or company commander position.
“Lt. Gest is an incredible naval officer and leader. He embodies the leadership and character of Rear Admiral Kauffman, bringing superb professionalism, selflessness and passion to the job and the EXU-1 team every day,” said EXU-1 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Eric Hui. “He is undoubtedly most deserving of this prestigious award.”
Gest has been with EXU-1 since January 2020. He deployed to Commander U.S. 7th Fleet from EXU-1 and pushed creative initiatives during the difficult operating environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, he served as the deputy mission commander for the Commander, Task Force 75-led effort to recover the U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II that sunk in the South China Sea in January.
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Source: NSWC Indian Head Division Public Affairs