Marine Corps Aviation Awards 2021 Award Winners

1.  Congratulations to the following Marines and squadrons on selection as the recipients of the 2021 Marine Corps 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 49th Annual Marine Corps Aviation Association Symposium in Dallas, TX, from 20-22 July 2021.<br>
2.  2021 Marine Corps Aviation Award Winners:<br>
2.a.  Alfred A. Cunningham Award (Aviator of the Year):  Capt Joshua E. Hazeldean, HMLA-367, MAG-24, 1st MAW<br>
2.b.  Robert Guy Robinson Award (NFO of the Year):  Capt James Hernandez, VMFA(AW)-224, VMFA-251, MAG-31, 2D MAW<br>
2.c.  Earle Hattaway Award (Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):  1stLt Travis D. Soubie, MWSS-371, MAG-13, 3D MAW<br>
2.d.  Robert F. Gibson Award (Air Command and Control Officer of the Year):  1stLt Jonathan B. Watkins, 2D LAAD Bn, SPMAGTF-CR<br>
2.e.  Silver Hawk Award (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):  Lieutenant General Robert F. Hedelund, Commanding General MARFORCOM<br>
2.f.  Frank E. Petersen Jr. Award (Flight Student of the Year):  1stLt Douglas J. Haas, HT-28, MATSG-21, TECOM<br>
2.g.  Danny L. Radish Award (Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year):  SSgt David R. Gooden, VMM-365, 2D MAW<br>
2.h.  Willie D. Sproule Award (Maintenance Marine of the Year):  GySgt Larry W. Aldridge, VMFAT-501, MAG-31, 2D MAW<br>
2.i.  Kenneth W. Southcomb Award (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):  GySgt Monica L. Williams, MALS-31, MAG-31, 2D MAW<br>
2.j.  Paul G. Vess Award (Avionics Marine of the Year):  Sgt Coltrane J. Dilley, MALS-36, MAG-36, 1st MAW<br>
2.k.  Gaines B. Gilbert Award (Aviation Ordnance Marine of the Year):  Sergeant Nicholas D. Bedford, HMLA-369, MAG-39, 3D MAW<br>
2.l.  Kenneth A. Innis Award (Command and Control Marine of the Year):  SSgt John P. Lukasiewicz, 2nd LAAD Bn, SPMAGTF-CR<br>
2.m.  Jack W. Demmond Award (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):  SSgt Thomas J. Warren, VMFA-323, MAG-11, 3D MAW<br>
2.n.  James E. Nicholson Award (NCO Leadership):  Sgt Tyshaun J. Brown, MACS-24, MACG-48, 4th MAW<br>
2.o.  Michael A. Hough Award (Acquisition Excellence):  Maj John E. Willett, VX-21, MAD Patuxent River<br>
2.p.  James Maguire Award (Exceptional Achievement):  The Aircrew of RAIDR50, VMGR-352, MAG-11, 3D MAW<br>
2.q.  Commandants Aviation Trophy (Outstanding Performance of a Marine Aviation Squadron or Battalion):  VMFA-323, MAG-11, 3D MAW<br>
2.r.  Robert M. Hanson Award (Fighter/Attack Squadron of the Year):  VMFA-323, MAG-11, 3D MAW<br>
2.s.  Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award (Attack Squadron of the Year):  VMA-214, MAG-13, 3D MAW<br>
2.t.  Henry Wildfang Award (Aerial/Refueler/Transport Squadron of the Year):  VMGR-152, MAG-12, 1st MAW<br>
2.u.  Fred McCorkle Award (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):  VMM-161, MAG-16, 3D MAW<br>
2.v.  Keith B. McCutcheon Award (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):  HMH-463, MAG-24, 1st MAW<br>
2.w.  John P. Giguere Award (Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):  HMLA-369, MAG-39, 3D MAW<br>
2.x.  John I. Hudson Award (Marine Unmanned Aircraft Squadron of the Year):  VMU-1, MAG-13, 3D MAW<br>
2.y.  Donald E. Davis Award (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):  MALS-39, MAG-39, 3D MAW<br>
2.aa.  James E. Hatch Award (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year):  MWSS-172, MAG-36, 1st MAW<br>
2.ab.  Edward S. Fris Award (Air Command/Control Squadron of the Year):  MACS-1, MACG-38, 3D MAW<br>
2.ac.  Pete Ross Award (Aviation Safety):  VMFT-401, MAG-41, 4th MAW<br>
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 15 June 2021:  full name and name of guest(s), work/mobile phone numbers (DSN/Comm), and work/personal email addresses.<br>
4.  In accordance with references (b), attire/uniform requirements for Marine Corps Aviation Association Symposium functions from 20-22 July 2021 are as follows:<br>
4.a.  Symposium events:  Events will be business casual.<br>
4.b.  Social events:  Events will be business casual.<br>
4.c.  Awards banquet:  Evening dress "B" or SNCO evening dress, blue dress "A" or service "A", in order of precedence.  White trousers are not authorized for the awards presentation and banquet.<br>
5.  Public affairs guidance:<br>
5.a.  Ensure award winners sign a privacy act statement and are briefed that information may be made available to civilian media.<br>
5.b.  Provide fleet hometown news release to Fleet Hometown News Center, San Diego, CA.<br>
6.  Points of contact (POC):<br>
6.a.  POC at HQMC is LtCol Howard, Douglas (ACP-1), douglas.h.howard@usmc.mil,DSN 223-4108, Comm(703)693-4108.<br>
7.  Release authorized by LtGen M. R. Wise, Deputy Commandant for Aviation.