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2026 MCAA AVIATION AWARD RECIPIENTS

The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) is honored to announce the 2026 MCAA Aviation Award Recipients. These Marines will receive their Awards at the 2026 Symposium in Dallas, TX, on May 14th, 2026.

Alfred A. Cunningham Award (Aviator of the Year):

Maj Maurtice O. Mills, VMM-161

 

Robert Guy Robinson Award (NFO of the Year):

Maj Nicholas W. Hancock, VMFA-312

James W. Frey Award (Marine Unmanned Aerial Systems Officer of the Year):

Capt Garett B. Goar, VMU-3

 

Earle Hattaway Award (Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):

CWO-3 Tyler J. Bluder, MALS-14

 

Robert F. Gibson Award (Air Command and Control Officer of the Year):

Capt Mitchell L. Harrison, 12th LAAB

 

Silver Hawk Award (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):

Gen Christopher J. Mahoney, Vice Chairman

Joint Chiefs of Staff

 

Frank E. Petersen Jr. Award (Flight Student of the Year):

1stLt Trevor R. Salom, MATSG-21

 

Danny L. Radish Award (Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year):

Sgt John P. Parker, VMM-161

Pioneer Award (Marine Enlisted UAS Sensor Operator of the Year):

SSgt Rames A. Jara, VMU-1

 

Willie D. Sproule Award (Maintenance Marine of the Year):

GySgt Michael F. Vignuli, HMH-772

 

Kenneth W. Southcomb Award (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):

MSgt Rikki M. Smith-Lewis, MALS-39

 

Paul G. Vess Award (Avionics Marine of the Year):

Sgt Nathan K. Jones, VMFA-121

 

Gaines B. Gilbert Award (Aviation Ordnance Marine of the Year):

GySgt Johnny R. Crittenden, MALS-14

 

Kenneth A. Innis Award (Command and Control Marine of the Year):

GySgt John A. Murillo, 12th LAAB

 

Jack W. Demmond Award (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):

Sgt Emilia R. Corum, VMGR-352

 

James E. Nicholson Award (NCO Leadership):

Sgt Cody E. Machado, MALS-14

 

Michael A. Hough Award (Acquisition Excellence):

LtCol Alex C. Horne, PMA-201

 

James Maguire Award (Exceptional Achievement):

SSgt Christian E. Smellie, VMFA-251

 

Marion E. Carl Award (Fleet Replacement Sqdn Instructor Pilot of the Year):

Maj Daniel M. Kearney, HMHT-302

Walter L.J. Baylor Award (Command & Control Electronic Maintenance Marine of the Year):

SSgt Daniel J. Hundley, MACS-2

 

Jeffrey S. Vogel Award (Ground Based Air Defense Marine of the Year):

MSgt Jeremy D. Simms, 2d LAAD

Ted Williams Award (Individual Exceptional Achievement in Reserve Aviation):

GySgt Timothy P. Ikeda, MASS-6

Commandants Aviation Trophy (Outstanding Performance of a Marine Aviation Squadron or Battalion): 

VMFA-225

 

Robert M. Hanson Award (Fighter/Attack Squadron of the Year):

VMFA-542

 

Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award (Attack Squadron of the Year):

VMA-223

 

Henry Wildfang Award (Aerial/Refueler/Transport Squadron of the Year):

VMGR-152

 

Fred McCorkle Award (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):

VMM-265

 

Keith B. McCutcheon Award (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):

HMH-462

 

John P. Giguere Award (Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):

HMLA-169

 

John I. Hudson Award (Marine Unmanned Aircraft Squadron of the Year):

VMU-3

 

Donald E. Davis Award (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):

MALS-14

 

James E. Hatch Award (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year):

MWSS-373

 

Edward S. Fris Award (Air Command/Control Squadron of the Year):

3d LAAB

 

Pete Ross Award (Aviation Safety):

VMGR-152

Jack Bergman Award (Marine Corps Reserve Unit of the Year):

MATSG-42

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