How Booz Allen's Pacific Rim Employees Are Making the World a Safer Place

From Alaska to Guam, Hawaii to Japan, and South Korea, Booz Allen’s Pacific Rim team works on projects that affect lives, businesses, and governments: efforts that include streamlining disaster relief, strengthening national security, and establishing infrastructure.

Through expertise in cybersecurity, data science, threat reduction, special operations, and beyond, they are tackling vital issues. Three employees recently had their efforts acknowledged by global defense leaders.

Strengthening CWMD capabilities in South Korea

The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) field aims to minimize the potential impacts of WMD employment. Booz Allen Senior CWMD Planner Jay Land is an expert in explosive ordnance disposal who works with United States Forces Korea at Yongsan Garrison in South Korea.                                                

Land recently received a Letter of Commendation from the Republic of Korea Minister of Defense for his efforts.

“[Land] has rendered great services to the strengthening of wartime and peacetime Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) capabilities of both nations and the enhancement of combined EOD capabilities between the Republic of Korea and the United States,” the certificate read. It also recognized Land’s “extraordinary competence and professional insight.”

“Building relations and supporting our clients are what we strive for at Booz Allen, and exceeding their expectations is exactly what Jay Land accomplished,” said William King, a senior fellow and director focused on countering weapons of mass destruction for Booz Allen Hamilton.

Providing expert support to the Treaty on Open Skies

The Treaty on Open Skies allows 34 ratified nations to conduct short-notice, unarmed observation flights over the territories of other parties. Designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence, it is one of the most wide-ranging international efforts to date to promote openness and transparency of military activities.

Booz Allen Lead Associate Andy Mukk is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who has served with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. He recently received a signed memorandum from a U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for his efforts with the Treaty on Open Skies Implementation Working Group from 2016 until the United States withdrew from the Treaty on November 22, 2020:

“The professionalism and expertise demonstrated by your teams ensured the United States’ successful implementation and compliance with the Treaty, while fostering strong relationships with our Allies and partners overseas.” 

Going “above and beyond” for training against IEDs

The U.S. Army’s Asia Pacific Counter-IED Fusion Center (APCFC) provides servicemembers with cutting-edge training to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs). APCFC’s leadership recently recognized Booz Allen Associate Derek Furman for his efforts related to a significant IED event in the Philippines, presenting him with the APCFC Strong Rower Award.

“Your dedication, especially the threat update for the 2nd Marine Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, followed by a short-turn event storyboard for the Philippines suicide bomber cell, were great contributions to the APCFC mission,” the award read. “Your contributions went above and beyond and were recognized by your peers as keeping the grand ship of the APCFC not only afloat but heading forward.”

Learn more about Booz Allen’s operations in the Pacific Rim.