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Army Aviation Association of America Announces
Calendar Year 2018 National Award Winners

(MONROE, Conn., April 8, 2019) –The Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) has announced its Calendar Year 2018 National Award Winners. Winning units and individuals will be recognized at the AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit, held April 14-16, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit provides an opportunity for Association members to gather with government and industry representatives concerned with Army Aviation and participate in professional programs and exhibits.
    The first AAAA annual meeting was held in June 1959 and has taken place every year since then. In recent years, the sites have included Washington, D.C., Fort Worth, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee.

    National Award recipients to be recognized at the 2019 AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit include:

Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the Army Civilian of the Year
Sponsored by The Boeing Company
Mr. John R. “Rick” Lunnemann
G-3 Readiness
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama

Throughout 2018, Mr. John “Rick” Lunnemann provided critical support to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a Logistics Assistance Representative (LAR). His contributions to the mission and his improvements to MQ-1C maintenance and tech supply procedures and systems were indispensable.
     He played an integral role in supporting three fully operational MQ-1C sites across three geographic combatant commands. He substantially reduced the amount of aircraft downtime due to the Engineering Field Support (EFS) process from an average of over 8 days in Q2 FY18 to just over 2 days by the end of the year. Additionally, as a direct result of his inputs, the EFS process is now only required for never-before-seen maintenance issues, and a significantly shorter process is utilized for known issues, further reducing downtime.
     In addition, he consistently displayed an impressive can-do attitude and dedication to the success of the unit’s mission, putting in long days and nights to help the Soldiers of Echo Company get an aircraft up and running in preparation for a deployment or training exercise.
     Mr. Lunnemann’s contributions to Echo Company’s combat effectiveness identify him as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the Army Civilian of the Year.

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James H. McClellan Aviation Safety Award  
Sponsored by GE Aviation
CW3 Nickolas F. Sciacca
1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment
7885 California Ave., Bldg.4239
Fort Polk, Louisiana

This award, which is the oldest AAAA award, was provided in 1959 as an annual award by Senator John L. McClellan in memory of his son, an Army Aviator who had died in a 1958 civilian airplane accident.

CW3 Nickolas Sciacca’s accomplishments as an aviation safety officer and aviator in the 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment, during 2018 were without equal. As one of two authorized aviation safety officers in the battalion, he trained NCOs and un-tracked warrant officers to establish programs and implement safety regulations, policies, and procedures in compliance with Army and Defense Department regulations and standards.
     Outside of the battalion and without an aviation brigade headquarters, he worked directly with U.S. Army Garrison and Headquarters for Fort Polk, Louisiana to educate, train, and safeguard aviation operations at the installation, to include rotational training units.
     On the ground the battalion completed five M9 and M4 ranges with zero accidents and qualified 210 Soldiers, had zero class A to C accidents, and only a handful of class D and less accidents predominately occurring during off duty sports activities.
     He maintains pilot-in-command status in both the LUH-72 Lakota and UH-60A/L Black Hawk and has amassed 2028.6 total hours including 542.7 NVG hours and 926.1 combat hours with an impeccable safety record of zero accidents.
     CW3 Sciacca’s accomplishments clearly identify him as the winner of the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America James H. McClellan Aviation Safety Award.

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Army Aviation Soldier of the Year
Sponsored by Bell
SPC Bradley C. Galloway
2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
7276 Nightstalker Way
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

SPC Bradley C. Galloway demonstrated outstanding service as an MH-47G maintainer and fully mission qualified (FMQ) crew chief while assigned to Co. A, 2/160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). He was evaluated and earned designation as an FMQ crew chief in only 120 days – six months ahead of normal timelines; and is even more impressive since it came on the heels of his completion of the Army’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) course and the Regiment’s Basic Mission Qualification course for MH-47G Non-Rated Crew Members. Further, he won the battalion Soldier of the Year competition and went on to place second in the Regiment competition.
     He completed most of his FMQ progression while deployed in support of worldwide contingency operations for a period of 90 days. While at home station, he conducted daily aircraft maintenance and participated in ten unscheduled major maintenance events. His contributions were essential to the company’s operational readiness rate of 80% despite a tremendously high operational tempo and enabled a 100% mission success rate both CONUS and OCONUS.
     SPC Galloway’s selfless service, dedication and work ethic identify him as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America Soldier of the Year.

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Henry Q. Dunn Crew Chief of the Year
Sponsored by Robertson Fuel Systems, L.L.C.
SGT Jack A. Brook
4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Established in 2005, this award is named for Sergeant Major Henry Q. Dunn who was the first crew chief of the Army’s Executive Flight Detachment for President Eisenhower in 1957 and one of the first E-9s in the U.S. Army.

SGT Jack A. Brook excelled across a multitude of environments. While in combat he proved himself to be a warrior who eagerly met the enemy and unwaveringly defended his aircraft and fellow Soldiers. Without hesitation he placed himself in positions of danger in order to protect his ground force by engaging enemy forces. During numerous training events, including two months in the Republic of Korea, he demonstrated the ability to perform a wide variety of special operations aviation specific tasks with great precision and accuracy. These events directly contributed to the increased readiness of hundreds of special operations forces from the United States and allied nations. Furthermore, as a fully mission qualified (FMQ) crew chief, he logged 498 flight hours. Within this limited amount of time he demonstrated natural leadership ability and the potential to serve as a Special Operations Flight Engineer. Finally, he showed his willingness to serve as a leader both on and off the aircraft.
     SGT Brook demanded excellence from himself and motivated all those with whom he served to do the same; he is an example for all to emulate and is most deserving of recognition as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America Henry Q. Dunn Crew Chief of the Year.

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Rodney J.T. Yano Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Sponsored by Lockheed Martin Corp.
SFC Jesse R. Jernigan
Company A, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment
Task Force Shadow
Camp Marmal, Afghanistan

SFC Jesse R. Jernigan performed with unparalleled excellence during his combat deployment to Mazar-e-Sharif and Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support XVIII-XIX as a member of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, task organized to 6-101st General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) TF Shadow. He served with distinction as the company’s senior mechanic, technical inspector, platoon sergeant, remote site NCOIC, and acting First Sergeant.
     The company’s execution of persistent split based operations, often in three simultaneous locations spread across 200 miles of battlefield, demanded he serve in a multitude of roles often with competing interests. The pressures he led his undermanned and under resourced team steadily through were immense. The unmatched maturity, mental agility, and resolve with which he approached this challenge was directly responsible for the company’s unparalleled ability to provide attack aviation support to United States Special Operations Forces. During the deployment he supervised the company’s execution of over 500 maintenance tasks, countless maintenance operational checks, and successful completion of over 12 expeditionary aviation packages. SFC Jernigan’s actions are clearly worthy of emulation and identify him as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America Rodney J.T. Yano Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

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Michael J. Novosel Army Aviator of the Year
Sponsored by Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Company
CW3 Patrick W. Fleming
Company B, 3rd Battalion,
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia

This award is named for Medal of Honor recipient Chief Warrant Officer Four Michael J. Novosel.

CW3 Patrick W. Fleming is an MH-47G flight lead, instructor pilot, instrument flight examiner, and exceptionally driven special projects officer in the Army’s only Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). Over the last year he has distinguished himself from his peers time and again by selflessly going above his normal duties to accomplish the mission and advance Army Aviation capabilities. His unique abilities and relentless work ethic are setting a new standard in the Regiment and he is consistently relied upon to conduct the most daunting special operations combat missions throughout the world. He has earned a reputation for being part of some of the most audacious missions executed by the Regiment.
     In one instance involving a missing Soldier (suspected KIA), he reassured the ground force commander that the 160th would not leave them until the Soldier was recovered. He led and inspired his men to stay until the last minute of their allowable time, repeatedly requesting to go back to the target in the daylight hours to exfiltrate the beleaguered ground force. His successes and his dedication to improve the enterprise make CW3 Fleming the clear choice for recognition as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America Michael J. Novosel Aviator of the Year.

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The Robert M. Leich Award  
Sponsored by Airbus
UH-60V Product Office
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
Product Manager: LTC Andrew J. Duus
Deputy Product Manager: Mr. Anthony Dupree
This award honors the memory of an Aviator from the Army's initial pilot training course in June 1942, and who served as our Association's first National President. The award is given to a unit or an individual for sustained contributions to Army Aviation, or for a unique one-time outstanding performance.

The UH-60V Product Office completed two critical events over the past year that were essential to the program’s success. The first event, the Limited User Test, was completed in August 2018 with the help of the 82d Combat Aviation Brigade. This operational test resulted in an Army Test and Evaluation Command endorsement to begin production. That validation allowed for the second event – a Milestone C production decision. In December 2018, the Milestone Decision Approval authority, BG Thomas Todd III, approved the UH-60V to begin production, with a goal of producing 760 UH-60V aircraft.
     This innovative UH-60V software effort uses a Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA) approach and aligns with the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) standard. Both approaches allow for cost efficiency, rapid future modernization and increased interoperability that will benefit army aviation well beyond the UH-60V platform and represent numerous “firsts” in Army Aviation.
     The men and women assigned to the UH-60V Product Office have brought the UH-60V to a successful production decision and established a new standard for open systems software architecture within Army Aviation that will allow for the affordable and rapid integration of future mission enhancing technologies. They are clearly deserving of the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America Robert M. Leich Award.

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John J. Stanko, Jr. Army National Guard (ARNG) Aviation Unit of the Year
Sponsored by Honeywell International
1st Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, Eastover, South Carolina
Commander: LTC Brian J. Pipkin
Senior NCO: CSM Charles E. Hancock, Jr.

This award is named for the acknowledged “Father of Army National Guard Aviation,” COL (Retired) John J. Stanko, Jr., and is presented annually to the Army National Guard aviation unit that has made an outstanding contribution to or innovation in the employment of Army Aviation.

The 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) mobilized as a multifunctional task force and deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support (Afghanistan). In Afghanistan, Task Force Marauder supported multifunctional aviation efforts for three train, advise, assist commands (TAACs) and multiple special operations commands, while expanding aviation capabilities at both Kandahar Airfield and Contingency Location Dwyer. The TF combined 43 total aircraft from two components and five ARNG states, and conducted split based operations supporting multiple units with attack, reconnaissance, security, MEDEVAC, and air movement (passengers and equipment) operations across half of the theater. The TF accumulated over 11,000 flight hours across all airframes, more than 200 deliberate air assault operations, air movement of over 32,000 passengers and 2.5 million pounds of cargo, and 78 MEDEVAC missions that moved more than 100 patients from their point of injury. It served more entities than any other aviation TF in the combined/joint operations area, executing 5 times as many expeditionary operations, firing more APKWS rockets than any other, and conducting hundreds of engagements in support of unaccompanied Afghan and accompanied coalition Special operations forces. 1-151st ARB Soldiers earned recognition as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America John J. Stanko Army National Guard Aviation Unit of the Year.

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U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Aviation Unit of the Year
Sponsored by Honeywell, Inc.  
5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Fort Eustis, Virginia
Commander: LTC Matthew B. Hill
Senior NCO: CSM Charles A. Booth

As the largest aviation battalion in the Army, the workload, operational tempo and throughput of 5-159th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) is an impressive resume spanning diverse mission sets. During 2018, the Dragonmasters flew over 10,294 incident and accident free flight hours, executing 173 external mission requests as well as internal training.
     The operational tempo far exceeded other units with the Dragonmasters consistently engaged in often complex and extensive operations on a monthly basis. During 2018 the unit successfully passed a battalion FORSCOM Army Resource Management Survey (ARMS) inspection; executed JRTC rotation 18-09 as the first Reserve aviation battalion to deploy to JRTC exercising mission command across all three COMPOs; provided support to the 82nd Airborne Division following Hurricane Michael; dispensed over 444,880 gallons of water extinguishing 17 named wildfires; and saved the lives of two high-altitude climbers on Mount Rainier.
     The Dragonmasters external support missions included: SEAL Team Two / Four, Special Boat Team 20 / 22, First and Third Special Forces Group, 3-75th Ranger Bn., U.S. Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Training Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, in addition to many others. The Soldiers of the 5-159th GSAB have earned recognition as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America U.S. Army Reserve Aviation Unit of the Year.

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Active Aviation Unit of the Year
Sponsored by L3 Technologies
2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Commander: LTC Michael Athanasaki
Senior NCO: CSM Paul G. Hutchings

2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) was responsible for exceptional achievement in support of overseas contingency operations, sustaining aviation readiness, and producing combat power. The battalion remained continuously deployed in support of Resolute Support, and Operations Inherent Resolve, Juniper Nimbus, and Yukon Journey. Battalion crews safely flew 4,600 MH-47G, 2,700 MH-60M, and 15,700 MQ-1C hours in support of United States and coalition special operations forces. The MQ-1Cs conducted 99 kinetic strikes resulting in 144 enemy killed in action and 19 enemy wounded in action in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The aviation maintenance company expended 19,863 man-hours completing 29 phase maintenance inspections and 5,630 work orders.
     The battalion fielded the Army’s first extended range MQ-1C Gray Eagle company. As the follow-on test & evaluation unit, F Company flew more than 600 hours, completed 50 maintenance inspections, replaced 13 major components, and conducted 600 individual surveys which provided direct feedback on the new UAS that will ultimately benefit all Army Aviation.
     The Soldiers of 2/160th excelled in combat operations, combat power generation, aviation sustainment, and significantly advanced UAS capabilities for the Army, clearly identifying them as the 2018 Army Aviation Association Active Aviation Unit of the Year.

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Outstanding Aviation Unit of the Year
Sponsored by The Boeing Company
449th Theater Aviation Brigade, Task Force HurricanesFort Riley, Kansas
Commander: COL Joseph W. Bishop
Command Chief Warrant Officer: CW5 Carnadose L. Bauknight
Senior NCO: CSM Matthew A. Shorter

The 449th Theater Aviation Brigade (TAB) mobilized and deployed as a combat aviation brigade (CAB). The 449th CAB was tasked with the tactical employment of aeromedical evacuation, attack helicopter operations, security, air movement, air assault, and reconnaissance support to Coalition forces throughout Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, and Turkey in support of Operations Inherent Resolve (OIR) and Spartan Shield (OSS). Soldiers of the 449th CAB assembled from 13 different states the largest National Guard aviation task force to mobilize out of Fort Hood, Texas in over a decade. The 449th’s operational control spanned six task forces, five countries, and thirteen locations. Every day, the 449th stood up quick reactionary forces in Iraq and Syria, an aerial response force consisting of an Infantry company capable of responding to high/extreme high-risk missions anywhere within OIR, and MEDEVAC assets capable of responding to any mission in Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Syria. The CAB directly supported multiple major units and commands throughout the area of operations, and Coalition partnerships with Australian, Canadian, and Iraqi forces, to include successful integration of Spanish Rotary Wing. The 449th’s flawless execution of both kinetic and stability operations set the conditions for success throughout the region and clearly identify them as the 2018 Army Aviation Association of America Outstanding Aviation Unit of the Year.

For more information, contact the AAAA National Office at (203) 268-2450 or [email protected]