MCAA AWARDS
The Marine Corps Aviation Association is honored to announce the 2020 Aviation Award Winners. These Marines have gone above and beyond in their duties, standing out as the best-of-the-best. Due to COVID restrictions, this year's Award Winners will be recognized with the 2021 Award Winners next May at the 2021 MCAA Symposium.
2020 MCAA AVIATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
Alfred A. Cunningham Award (Marine Aviator of the Year)
Captain Valerie K. Smith
HMH-465, MAG-16, 3D MAW
Robert Guy Robinson Award (Marine Naval Flight Officer of the Year)
Captain Alexander Betzel
VMFA(AW)-533, MAG-31, 2D MAW
Earle Hattaway Award (Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year)
Major Calischaran James
VMFAT-101, MAG-11, 3D MAW
Robert F. Gibson Award (Marine Air Command and Control Officer of the Year)
Captain Matthew Duncan
MATCS-18, 1st MAW
Silver Hawk Award (Marine Aviator with the Earliest Designation Date)
Lieutenant General Robert F. Hedelund
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
Frank E. Petersen Jr. Award (Marine Flight Student of the Year)
First Lieutenant Jody Lamb
HT-28, MATSG-21, TECOM
Danny L. Radish Award (Enlisted Aircrew of the Year)
Sergeant Cameron D. Colucci
VMM-764, MAG-41, 4th MAW
Willie D. Sproule Award (Aviation Maintenance Marine of the Year)
Sergeant Gage Mohelsky
HMH-463, MAG-24, 1st MAW
Kenneth W. Southcomb Award (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year)
Gunnery Sergeant Joagensky Dor
MALS-12, MAG-12,1st MAW
Paul G. Vess Award (Avionics Marine of the Year)
Sergeant Sean Mahoney
VMFA-112, MAG-41, 4th MAW
Gaines B. Gilbert Award (Aviation Ordnance Marine of the Year)
Sergeant John Sagrillo
VMA-214, MAG-13, 3D MAW
Kenneth A. Innis Award (Command and Control Marine of the Year)
Gunnery Sergeant Tricia Harrell
MACS-24, MACG-48, 4th MAW
Jack W. Demmond Award (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year)
Corporal Ashley Hernandez
MACS-4, MACG-18, 1st MAW
James E. Nicholson Award (Noncommissioned Marine Officer Leadership)
Sergeant Joseph J. McDonnell
HMH-462, MAG-16, 3D MAW
Michael A. Hough Award (Acquisition Excellence in Marine Aviation)
Major Nathaniel Thayer
Marine Air Det, Pax River
James Maguire Award (Exceptional Achievement in Marine Aviation)
Master Gunnery Sergeant Timothy Huber
VMFAT-501, MAG-31, 2D MAW
Robert M. Hanson Award (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year)
VMFA-232
MAG-11, 3D MAW
Lawson H.M. Sanderson Award (Marine Attack Squadron of the Year)
VMA-223
MAG-14, 2D MAW
Henry Wildfang Award (Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron of the Year)
VMGR-352
MAG-11, 3D MAW
Fred McCorkle Award (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year)
VMM-364
MAG-39, 3D MAW
Keith B. McCutcheon Award (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year)
HMH-464
MAG-29, 2D MAW
John P. Giguere Award (Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year)
HMLA-169
MAG-39, 3D MAW
John I. Hudson Award (Marine Unmanned Aircraft Squadron of the Year)
VMU-2
MAG-14, 2D MAW
Donald E. Davis Award (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year)
MALS-36
MAG-36, 1st MAW
James E. Hatch Award (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year)
MWSS-371
MWSG-37, 3D MAW
Edward S. Fris Award (Marine Air Command/Control Squadron of the Year)
MASS-2
MACG-18, 1st MAW
Commandant's Aviation Award (Superior Performance in Marine Aviation)
VMM-165
MAG-16, 3D MAW
Pete Ross Award (Marine Aviation Safety)
VMGR-152
MAG-12, 1st MAW