Craig Unrein, a former Cortez resident, was honored with a Michelson Laboratory Award during a ceremony at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, California on June 25.

The Michelson Laboratory Award recognizes individuals for technical excellence based on outstanding performance of individual duties. The award was named for Albert A. Michelson, a physicist known for his work on the measurement of the speed of light, and the first American to receive a Nobel Prize in physics. The Michelson Laboratory, one of the primary research complexes at NAWCWD China Lake, is named after him.

Unrein earned the award for his outstanding management and effective leadership that resulted in significant technical advances in developing and demonstrating a successful Common Control Station rapid development prototype for use with unmanned aircraft, surface vehicles, and underwater vessels.

“I am very humbled to receive the Michelson Award,” Unrein said. “This really was a team effort, and without our team of skilled engineers and knowledgeable mentors, the Common Control Station Prototype would not have been developed. I would like to share my personal thanks to David Roy and Travis Lowry for their contributions because without them we would not have been successful.”

Unrein has worked at China Lake since 2008 and currently works as the Common Control System architect in the NAWCWD Systems Engineering Department.

“Your commitment and dedication in leading this effort ensured its success and demonstrates that the Weapons Division has become a place where unmanned systems are accepted and part of normal operations,” said Scott O’Neil, NAWCWD executive director, who presented Unrein with the award. “Many thanks for a job well done.”