NHA Awards - 2023

Rear Admiral Tomaszeski Commanding Officer Leadership Award

Rear Admiral Tomaszeski Commanding Officer Leadership Award, sponsored by GE Aerospace, was presented to CDR Seth DiNola, USN, Commanding Officer of HSM-60 by RADM Tomaszeski, USN (Ret.) and Mr. Andrew Pitzen, Program Manager for GE Aviation. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Commander James R. Walker Tactician of the Year Award

Commander James R. Walker Tactician of the Year Award, sponsored by BlueDrop USA, was presented to LT Johnathan Worstell, USN of HSCWINGLANT Weapons School by RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.), NHA National Chairman.

Aircrew of the Year (Non-Deployed)

Aircrew of the Year (Non-Deployed), sponsored by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, is presented to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka Crew of CG6036 by Mr. Hamid Salim, Vice President, Sikorsky Maritime & Mission Systems and Owego Site General Manager at Lockheed Martin. Accepting for the crew is the Copilot of CG 6036, LCDR Scott Woodcock, USCG. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Aircrew of the Year (Deployed)

Aircrew of the Year (Deployed), sponsored by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company was presented to the crews of NITE 610 and NITE 616 of HSC-4 "Black Knights" by Mr. Hamid Salim, Vice President, Sikorsky Maritime & Mission Systems and Owego Site General Manager at Lockheed Martin. Accepting on behalf of the crews are CDR Thomas Murray, USN, LT Aaron Cusato, MC, USN, LT Taylor Minor, USN and HM1 Daniel Watters, USN. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Aircrewman of the Year

Aircrewman of the Year Award is sponsored by Breeze Eastern, awarded to AWS1 Jacob Glende, USN, of HSC12 and presented by Mr. David Creech, President/CEO/ Senior Consultant, Vertical Lift Consulting. Accepting for AWS1 Glende was HSCWINGPAC Commodore, CAPT Edward Weiler, USN. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Rescue Swimmer of the Year

Rescue Swimmer of the Year Award is sponsored by Breeze Eastern, awarded to AST2 Richard Hoefle, USCG of USCG Air Station New Orleans and presented by Mr. David Creech, President and CEO Senior Consultant, Vertical Lift Consulting. Photo by Ray Rivard.

COMNAVAIRPAC Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year

COMNAVAIRPAC Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year was awarded to AWR2 Brendon Ruggiero, USN, of HSM-78. It was presented by HSCWINGPAC Commodore, CAPT Edward Weiler, USN. NHA National Chairman, RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.) accepted on his behalf. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Aircrew Instructor of the Year

Aircrew Instructor of the Year, sponsored by CAE, was awarded to AWS1 Dominic Thomas, USN of HSCWSP. It was presented by Mr. Steven Leonard, Sr Manager Rotary Wing Programs at CAE. Accepting on AWS1 Thomas' behalf was AWSC Kevin Barchi, USN.

Training Command Instructor Pilot of the Year

Training Command Instructor Pilot of the Year, sponsored by CAE, was awarded to LT Connor McKiernan, USN, of HT-8. The award was presented by Mr. Steven Leonard, Sr Manager Rotary Wing Programs at CAE. Accepting on LT McKiernan's behalf was HSMWINGLANT Commodore, CAPT Teague Laguens, USN. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Pilot of the Year

Pilot of the Year, sponsored by Navy Mutual, was presented to LT Jack Lahey, USN of HSM-78 by Mr. David Babcock, Military Affairs Liaison at Navy Mutual Aid Association.

Fleet Instructor Pilot of the Year

Fleet Instructor Pilot of the Year sponsored by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, was presented to LCDR Stovall Knight, USN of VRM-50 by Mr. Hamid Salim, Vice President, Sikorsky Maritime & Mission Systems and Owego Site General Manager at Lockheed Martin. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Shipboard Pilot of the Year

Shipboard Pilot of the Year, sponsored by Vertex, a V2X Company, was awarded to LCDR Larry Wheeler, USN embarked aboard USS Iwo Jima (LPD 7). Presenting the award was Mr. Paul Sichenzia. RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.) NHA National Chairman, accepted on his behalf.

Senior Enlisted (E6-E9) Maintainer of the Year

Senior Enlisted (E6-E9) Maintainer of the Year, sponsored by Vertex, a V2X Company, was awarded to ADC Glenn Donahoe, USN of HSM-51. Mr. Paul Sichenzia presented the award. Accepting the award on his behalf was LCDR Matt Schwab. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Junior Enlisted (E1-E5) Maintainer of the Year

Junior Enlisted (E1-E5) Maintainer of the Year, sponsored by Recoil, was awarded to AE2 Caroline Logan, USN of HSC-28. Accepting on her behalf was CDR Coleen Minihan, USN, Commanding Officer of HSC-28. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Maintenance Officer of the Year

Maintenance Officer of the Year, sponsored by Recoil, was awarded to CWO4 Hatler Riddle, USN of HM-14. Accepting on his behalf was LCDR Emily Wallis, USN.

The Golden Crew Chief Award

The Golden Crew Chief Award is sponsored by the Naval Helicopter Assocation Historical Society. This year's recipient is AWSCM Steve Turo, USN.

Mission Payload Operator of the Year

Mission Payload Operator of the Year was sponsored by Northrop Grumman. This year's awardee was AWS2 Nicholas Woronoff, USN of HSC-23. Mr. Lance Eischeid, Program Director of Tactical Autonomous Systems at Northrop Grumman presented the award to AWS2 Woronoff.

Air Vehicle Operator of the Year

Air Vehicle Operator of the Year, sponsored by Northrop Grumman, was awarded to LT Josh Rockman, USN of HSC-21 and presented by Mr. Lance Eischeid, Program Director of Tactical Autonomous Systems at Northrop Grumman.

AVO Instructor of the Year

AVO Instructor of the Year, sponsored by Northrop Grumman, was presented to LT Andrew George, USN of VTUAV (HSCWP DET PT. MUGU) by Mr. Lance Eischeid, Program Director of Tactical Autonomous Systems at Northrop Grumman.Photo by Ray Rivard.

MPO Instructor of the Year

MPO Instructor of the Year, sponsored by Northrop Grumman, was presented to AWSC Kevin Barchi,USN (HSCWSP) by Mr. Lance Eischeid, Program Director of Tactical Autonomous Systems at Northrop Grumman.

Service to NHA

Service to NHA Award was presented to CDR Emily Stellpflug, USN, National President Naval Helicopter Association by RADM Dan Fillion, NHA Chairman. CDR Stellpflug is the Commanding Officer of VRM-50. Photo

Lifelong Service to NHA

Lifelong Service to NHA Award, sponsored by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, was presented to CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret.), the President of the NHA Scholarship Fund by Mr. Hamid Salim, Vice President, Sikorsky Maritime & Mission Systems and Owego Site General Manager at Lockheed Martin. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Chairman’s Award

Chairman’s Award, sponsored by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, was presented to CAPT Steve Thomas, USN, 2022 Symposium Vice President by Mr. Hamid Salim, Vice President, Sikorsky Maritime & Mission Systems and Owego Site General Manager at Lockheed Martin. Photo by Ray Rivard.

NHA Volunteer of the Year

NHA Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded to LT Tyler Bothel, USN who was the Lead Junior Officer for NHA's 2022 Symposium and presented by RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.). LT Lei Acuna accepted on his behalf. Photo by Ray Rivard.

Best Scribe

Best Scribe Award was presented to LCDR Rob Swain, USN of CAG-5 by RADM Dan Fillion, USN (Ret.), NHA Chairman. Photo by Ray Rivard.

NHA Historical Society's Mark Starr Award

The NHA Historical Society's Mark Starr Pioneer Award was presented to CAPT Joellen Drag-Oslund, USNR (Ret.) by Ms. Therese Caballes, Regional Vice President for California Credit Union who sponsored the award (center). The award was presented at the Breakfast honoring 50 Years of Women Flying in Naval Aviation.