Patuxent River, Md. — Two Naval Air Systems Command employees based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River received the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon on December 3, 2025, recognizing their contributions to aircraft testing and program efficiency.
Anthony Blankenship, deputy director of test and evaluation for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, and Gregory Imhof, director of test technologies for Naval Test Wing Atlantic within the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, earned the honor for their work advancing military aviation capabilities. The award, the highest recognition for DoD civilian employees, acknowledges careers marked by exceptional devotion and impacts on the department overall.
Blankenship led a 1,800-member test team spanning the Air Force, Navy, partner nations and industry, managing $5 billion in assets across nine sites. His oversight of a $600 million annual budget supported 14,210 tests on more than 50 F-35 aircraft, verifying enhancements for three U.S. services, seven international partners and 12 foreign military sales customers. Imhof drove efficiencies in the Tomahawk missile recertification, saving millions while extending its lifespan, and demonstrated ground-launched capabilities to bolster strategic deterrence. As director of capabilities verification for the Next Generation Air Dominance Program Office, PMA-230, he implemented verification strategies to keep the program technologically advanced within budget limits.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” Imhof said. “My 30-year career has been a privilege, spent alongside countless professionals dedicated to delivering advanced warfighter capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps. I am profoundly grateful for the friendships and opportunities that shaped my journey and for the constant support of my wife and family. Naval aviation is a mission that succeeds only as a team, and I’m incredibly proud to be a member of that team.”
The 70th annual ceremony highlighted eight recipients department-wide, with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks presenting the awards. Established in 1957, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award requires nominations from senior leaders and approval by the secretary of defense, focusing on achievements with broad DoD implications.
Blankenship’s role in the F-35 program aligns with ongoing efforts at Patuxent River, where integrated test forces conduct developmental and operational evaluations. The F-35, the DoD’s largest acquisition program valued at over $1.7 trillion for 2,456 aircraft, relies on Pax River’s facilities for flight sciences, mission systems and carrier suitability testing. Recent milestones include the first F-35C carrier qualifications in 2013 and ongoing software upgrades like Block 4, which Blankenship’s team supports through simulation and cyber testing.
Imhof’s contributions to the Tomahawk program involve the Naval Air Warfare Center’s weapons division, where recertification extends the cruise missile’s service life beyond 30 years, avoiding new production costs estimated at $1 million per unit. His work on ground-launched variants supports the Navy’s response to evolving threats, as demonstrated in exercises like Valiant Shield. For PMA-230, Imhof’s strategies ensure compliance with acquisition reforms under the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, balancing innovation with fiscal responsibility.
These awards underscore Pax River’s role in national defense, where civilian expertise drives technological edges. Blankenship and Imhof join prior recipients like those honored in 2024 for contributions to cybersecurity and logistics. As DoD priorities shift toward great power competition, their work ensures platforms like the F-35 and Tomahawk meet operational demands.