MARINE CORPS AVIATION ASSOCIATION (MCAA) 2017 AWARD WINNERS
Date Signed: 3/22/2017 | MARADMINS Number: 144/17
MARADMINS : 144/17
R 221215Z MAR 17
MARADMIN 144/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC AVN ASM//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS AVIATION ASSOCIATION (MCAA) 2017 AWARD WINNERS//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1650.29H/YMD: 20100922//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO P1020.34G/YMD: 20030331//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1650.29H ON AVIATION AWARDS. REF B IS MCO P1020.34G WITH CHG 1-5 ON MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Congratulations to the following Marines and squadrons on selection as the recipients of the 2017 MCAA Aviation Awards for the following categories.  Each category was highly competitive, indicating exceptional leadership and dedication to mission accomplishment for all nominees.  Award winners will be recognized at the 46th Annual MCAA Symposium and awards dinner to be held in La Jolla, CA from 16-20 May 2017.
2.  2017 MCAA Award winners:
2.a.  Alfred A. Cunningham Award (Aviator of the Year):  Captain Hugh E. Anderson, VMFA(AW)-533, MAG-31, 2d MAW
2.b.  Robert Guy Robinson Award (NFO of the Year):  Captain Christopher A. Smith, VMAQ-4, MAG-14, 2d MAW
2.c.  Earle Hattaway Award (Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):  Captain Kevin F. Champaigne, MALS-26, MAG-26, 2d MAW
2.d.  Robert F. Gibson Award (Command/Control Officer of the Year):  Captain Michael R. Jacobellis, 3d LAAD Bn, MACG-38, 3d MAW
2.e.  Silver Hawk Award (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):  General Glenn M. Walters, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
2.f.  Frank E. Peterson Award (Flight Student of the Year):  First Lieutenant Samantha A. Sirois, HT-18, MATSG-21, TECOM
2.g.  Danny L. Radish Award (Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year):  Sergeant Cameron A. Koerner, HMH-466, MAG-16, 3d MAW
2.h.  Willie D. Sproule Award (Maintenance Marine of the Year):  Sergeant Keanu B. Kinney, VMM-268, MAG-24, 1st MAW
2.i.  Kenneth W. Southcomb Award (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):  Master Sergeant Willie J. Milline, MALS-36, MAG-36, 1st MAW
2.j.  Paul G. Vess Award (Avionics Marine of the Year):  Staff Sergeant Christopher E. Norman, MALS-39, MAG-39, 3d MAW
2.k.  Gaines B. Gilbert Award (Ordnance Marine of the Year):  Sergeant Shane M. Tietje, MALS-24, MAG-24, 1st MAW
2.l.  Kenneth A. Innis Award (Command/Control Marine of the Year):  Master Sergeant Lance A. Gruben, 3d LAAD Bn, MACG-38, 3d MAW
2.m.  Jack W. Demmond Award (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):  Sergeant Jordan K. Mercado, MWSS-373, MAG-11, 3d MAW
2.n.  James E. Nicholson Award (NCO Leadership):  Sergeant Brandon D. Young, VMFA-122, MAG-31, 2d MAW
2.o.  Michael A. Hough Award (Acquisition Excellence):  Lieutenant Colonel Brian J. Taylor, MAD Patuxent River
2.p.  James Maguire Award (Exceptional Achievement):  Gunnery Sergeant Clinton J. DuClos, VMM-262, MAG-36, 1st MAW
2.q.  Robert M. Hanson Award (Fighter/Attack Squadron of the Year):  VMFA(AW)-533, MAG-31, 2d MAW
2.r.  Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award (Attack Squadron of the Year):  VMA-223, MAG-14, 2d MAW
2.s.  Royal N. Moore Award (Electronic Warfare Squadron of the Year):  VMAQ-4, MAG-14, 2d MAW
2.t.  Henry Wildfang Award (Aerial/Refueler/Transport Squadron of the Year):  VMGR-352, MAG-11, 3d MAW
2.u.  Fred McCorkle Award (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):  VMM-264, MAG-26, 2d MAW
2.v.  Keith B. McCutcheon Award (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):  HMH-772, MAG-49, 4th MAW
2.w.  John P. Giguere Award (Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):  HMLA-267, MAG-39, 3d MAW
2.x.  John I. Hudson Award (Marine Unmanned Aircraft Squadron of the Year):  VMU-2, MAG-14, 2d MAW
2.y.  Donald E. Davis Award (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):  MALS-39, MAG-39, 3d MAW
2.z.  James E. Hatch Award (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year):  MWSS-172, MAG-36, 1st MAW
2.aa.  Edward S. Fris Award (Air Command/Control Unit of the Year):  MACS-4, MACG-18, 1st MAW
2.ab.  Commandants Aviation Trophy (Outstanding Performance Of A Marine Aviation Squadron Or Battalion):  VMX-1, HQMC
2.ac.  Pete Ross Award (Aviation Safety):  VMM-262, MAG-36, 1st MAW
3.  Travel and lodging details plus a schedule of events for individual award winners and unit recipients will be issued via separate correspondence (SEPCOR).  Individual award winners and unit recipients shall provide the HQMC point of contact below with the following information NLT 31 March 2017:  full name and name of guest(s), work address, work/mobile phone numbers (DSN/Comm), and work/personal email addresses.
4.  In accordance with references (b), attire/uniform requirements for MCAA functions from 16-20 May 2017 are as follows:
4.a.  Symposium events: Events will be business casual.
4.b.  Social events: Social events will be business casual.
4.c.  Awards banquet:  Evening dress "B", blue dress "A" or service "A", in order of precedence.  White trousers are not authorized for the awards presentation and banquet.
5.  Public affairs guidance:
5.a.  Ensure award winners sign a privacy act statement and are briefed that information may be made available to civilian media.
5.b.  Provide fleet hometown news release to Fleet Hometown News Center, San Diego, CA.
6.  Points of contact (POC)
6.a.  POC at HQMC is LtCol B. K. Williams (ASM-52), bruce.k.williams1(at)usmc.mil, DSN 223-9875/224-1244, Comm (703)693-9875/(703)614-1244.
6.b.  POC at MCAA is Jim Casey, jrcasey(at)flymcaaorg, Comm (703)630-1903
7.  Release authorized by LtGen J. M. Davis, Deputy Commandant for Aviation.