The 2006 Logistics team of the year, Comnavcent N4 Combined Task Force Five Nine (CTF-59) Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) Lebanon Logistics Team, which “supported the planning and execution of the swift evacuation of approximately 15,000 American citizens from Lebanon due to hostilities between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah in July 2006” was awarded the Stanley R. Arthur Award for Logistics Excellence.

The 13-person team included a Greek Cypriot, Mr. George Solomonides, Managing Director of Solomonides Shipping Services Ltd., agents for Cyprus of Multinational Logistic Services Ltd., (MLS) which provides ship and logistic services to the U.S. Navy.

Shortly after hostilities erupted in Lebanon on July 12 2006 between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, the American Ambassador to Lebanon requested U.S. military assistance to facilitate the Non-Combatant evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon. Underpinning an unprecedented build-up of U.S. Power Projection, strategic lift, and Humanitarian Assistance forces, Mr. Georgios Solomonides provided vital operational and tactical logistics support throughout the rapid build up and deployment of ships, aircraft and marines in the region.

This is the first time that the highly coveted award, which constitutes the highest U.S. Military award in Logistics, is given to a non-American citizen and the first who is not a member of the U.S. military or employee of the U.S. government. The Admiral Stanley Arthur Award for Logistics Excellence is bestowed annually upon individuals and teams who epitomize logistics excellence. The award recognizes Navy individuals and teams whose contributions have significantly supported the Navy mission, have promoted innovative ideas and concepts resulting in substantial and quantifiable benefits to the Navy, and have enhanced the logistics profession.