Photo Information

Capt. Christopher Lavergne, a KC-130J Super Hercules pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, proudly displays the 2017 Marine Corps Aviation Association Henry Wildfang award in front of a KC-130J at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 27. VMGR-352 received the Henry Wildfang award for successful mission accomplishments and the most mishap free hours.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jake McClung

MCAA: Marine aviators make history

30 Mar 2017 | Lance Cpl. Jake McClung The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

The Marine Corps Aviation Association awards is a competition where squadrons and individual Marines equally strive to win top honors in one of 29 aviation categories, which has been presented annually since 1962 to the best aviators in the Marine Corps.

“There are several awards the MCAA has created to recognize not only squadrons but deserving officers and enlisted Marines,” said Capt. Christopher Lavergne, a KC-130J Super Hercules pilot and power line officer in charge with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352.

Each award is named after a Marine aviator, who made great achievements during their career in their military occupational specialty. VMGR-352 received the 2017 Henry Wildfang award as the Marine aerial refueler transport squadron of the year, says Capt. James Potucek, an aircraft commander, and pilot for VMGR-352.

Maj. Henry “Bud” Wildfang was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Gray Eagle award for landing in Khe Sanh while taking enemy automatic small arms fire while hauling fuel for his fellow Marines resulting in the deaths of three out of four crew members and leaving him severely injured.

“The Henry Wildfang award is not only a safety award because we had the most mishap free hours, but it also recognizes excellence through our variety of mission sets,” said Lavergne. “We were awarded this for accomplishing our missions such as air-to-air refueling, aviation delivery of assets, multi-sensor imagery reconnaissance and all other aspects of assault transport better than the other squadrons this year.”

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing received eight of the 29 awards. The 2017 winning squadrons with the 3rd MAW are: VMGR-352, winners of the Henry Wildfang award; Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, winners of the John P. Giguere award; and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 winners of the Donald E. Davis award. The awards recognized the squadrons as the squadron of the year in their respective areas. 

The following Marines with 3rd MAW individually received an award for their actions: Capt. Michael R. Jacobellis, Marine Air Control Group 38, Robert F. Gibson award; Sgt. Cameron A. Koerner, Marine Heavy Helicopter 466, Danny L. Radish award; Sgt. Christopher E. Norman, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39, Paul G. Vess award; Master Sgt. Lance A. Gruben, Marine Aircraft Group 38, Kenneth A. Innis award; Sgt. Jordan K. Mercado, Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Jack W. Demmond award.

“Everyone wants to do well and win awards,” said Potucek. “It’s just a result of our dedication.”