By Javier Chagoya

Turkish Air Force 1st Lt. Murat Dogen, front right, and Pakistan Navy Lt. Cmdr. Tahir Majeed Asim, front left, were honored with the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association's (AFCEA) Jack Wozencraft Academic Achievement Award, June 1. And they were equally honored by the NPS Hall of Fame inductees who presented the honor.

Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Army Gen. Keith Alexander, the former Director of the National Security Agency and the first Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, far right, were on campus to make a special presentation of the award.

"I felt surprised because I didn't expect [the award]. Receiving this distinction from AFCEA and being honored with the legacy of John Wozencraft means a lot to me. Both Adm. Mullen and Gen. Alexander shared encouraging words with us," said Dogen.

Asim was delighted that the two world-renowned military leaders took time to meet with him and Dogen, and to present their awards.

"It's a great honor for me to be selected for this award. Adm. Mullen and Gen. Alexander are very big names and known to everyone. I feel really privileged to have received the award certificate signed from both of them," said Asim.

Dogen looks forward to his next assignment, which will most likely be at the Turkish Air Force Headquarters where he will manage future air defense projects. Asim has not received his orders yet, but believes he will likely be assigned to his nation's Navy headquarters in Islamabad, Pakistan.