R 011656Z APR 16
MARADMIN 186/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC AVN//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS AVIATION ASSOCIATION (MCAA) 2016 AWARD WINNERS//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/MCO 1650.29H/YMD:20100922//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MCO P1020.34G/YMD:20030331//
REF/C/MSGID:MSG/CMC AVN ASM/251355Z MAR 16//
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. REF C IS THE MARINE AVIATION SUMMIT 2016 ANNOUNCEMENT MESSAGE.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Congratulations to the following Marines and squadrons on selection as the recipients of the 2016 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 45th Annual MCAA Symposium and awards dinner to be held in New Bern, NC from 17-20 May 2016.
2.  2016 MCAA Award winners:
    A.  Alfred A. Cunningham Award (Aviator of the Year):  LtCol Steve E. Gillette, VMFA-121, MAG-13, 3D MAW
    B.  Robert Guy Robinson Award (Marine NFO of the Year):  Maj Jason P. Whittaker, VMFA(AW)-224, MAG-31, 2D MAW
    C.  Earle Hattaway Award (Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):  Maj Michael J. Malone, MALS-31, MAG-31, 2D MAW
    D.  Robert F. Gibson Award (Command/Control Officer of the Year):  Maj Jason A. Lambert, MACS-4, MACG-18, 1ST MAW
    E.  Silver Hawk Award (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):  LtGen Robert E. Schmidle, Jr.
    F.  Frank E. Peterson Award (Marine Flight Student of the Year):  1stLt Curtis C. King, VT-35, MATSG-22, TECOM
    G.  Danny L. Radish Award (Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year):  Sgt Ryan A. Hetu, HMH-463, MAG-24, 1ST MAW
    H.  Willie D. Sproule Award (Maintenance Marine of the Year):  GySgt Ronald L. Strazalkowski, HMH-464, MAG-29, 2D MAW
    I.  Kenneth W. Southcomb Award (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):  GySgt Olga J. McCray, MALS-13, MAG-13, 3D MAW
    J.  Paul G. Vess Award (Avionics Marine of the Year):  SSgt Juan Ogomuro, MALS-39, MAG-39, 3D MAW
    K.  Gaines B. Gilbert Award (Ordnance Marine of the Year):  Sgt Tyler J. Bluder, MALS-41, MAG-41, 4TH MAW
    L.  Kenneth A. Innis Award (Command/Control Marine of the Year):  GySgt Michael L. Ott, MACS-4, MACG-18, 1ST MAW
    M.  Jack W. Demmond Award (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):  MSgt Christopher D. Collins, MWSS-372, MAG-39, 3D MAW
    N.  James E. Nicholson Award (NCO Leadership):  SSgt Jimi A. Banda, VMFA(AW)-242, MAG-12, 1ST MAW
    O.  Michael A. Hough Acquisition Award:  SSgt Scott A Colagrossi, II, CNATT
    P.  James Maguire Award (Exceptional Achievement):  Cpl Steven F. Emond, VMM-268, MAG-16, 3D MAW
    Q.  Robert M. Hanson Award (Fighter/Attack Squadron of the Year):  VMFA-121, MAG-13, 3D MAW
    R.  Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award (Attack Squadron of the Year):  VMA-223, MAG-14, 2D MAW
    S.  Royal N. Moore Award (Electronic Warfare Squadron of the Year):  VMAQ-2, MAG-14, 2D MAW
    T.  Henry Wildfang Award (Aerial/Refueler/Transport Squadron of the Year):  VMGR-352, MAG-11, 3D MAW
    U.  Fred McCorkle Award (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):  VMM-365, MAG-26, 2D MAW
    V.  Keith B. McCutcheon Award (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):  HMH-464, MAG-29, 2D MAW
    W.  John P. Giguere Award (Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):  HMLA-269, 2D MAW
    X.  John I. Hudson Award (VMU Squadron of the Year):  VMU-2, MAG-14, 2D MAW
    Y.  Donald E. Davis Award (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):  MALS-13, MAG-13, 3D MAW
    Z.  James E. Hatch Award (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year):  MWSS-272, MAG-26, 2D MAW
    AA.  Edward S. Fris Award (Air Command/Control Unit of the Year):  3D LAAD, MACG-38, 3D MAW
    AB.  Commandants Aviation Trophy (Outstanding Performance Of A Marine Aviation Squadron Or Battalion):  VMFA-251, MAG-31, 2D MAW
    AC.  Pete Ross Award (Aviation Safety):  VMFT-401, MAG-41, 4TH 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 8 Apr 16:  full name and name of guest(s), work/home addresses, work/home phone numbers (DSN/Comm), and work/personal email addresses.
4.  In accordance with references (b) and (c), attire/uniform requirements for MCAA functions from 17-20 May 2016 are as follows:
    A.  Symposium events: Events will be business casual.
    B.  Social events: Social events will be business casual.
    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:
    A.  Ensure award winners sign a privacy act statement and are briefed that information may be made available to civilian media.
    B.  Provide fleet hometown news release to Fleet Hometown News Center, San Diego, CA.
6.  Point of contact at HQMC is LtCol B. K. Williams (ASM-32), bruce.k.williams1@usmc.mil, DSN 223-9881/224-1244, Comm (703)693-9881/ (703)614-1244.
7.  Release authorized by LtGen J. M. Davis, Deputy Commandant for Aviation.