2026 Marine Corps Aviation Association Award Winners

R 031857Z APR 26

MARADMIN 157/26

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC AVN//

SUBJ/MARINE CORPS AVIATION ASSOCIATION AWARDS 2026 AWARD WINNERS//

REF/A/MSGID:DOC/MCO 1650.29H/YMD:20100922//

REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MCO P1020.34G/YMD:20030331//

NARR/REF A IS THE AVIATION AWARDS ORDER. REF B IS THE MARINE CORPS

UNIFORM REGULATIONS.//

POC/J. L. ADAIR/MAJ/UNIT: HQMC AVN ASM/ TEL: DSN 223-9875/

TEL: COM (703)693-9875/EMAIL: JESSE.ADAIR@USMC.MIL//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Congratulations to the exceptional Marines and

units chosen for the 2026 Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA)

Awards.  The competitiveness of each category is a testament to the

remarkable leadership and dedication of all nominees.  We will 

recognize the award winners at the 54th Annual MCAA Symposium in

Dallas, Texas, from 11-14 May 2026.

2.  The following are the 2026 MCAA Award winners.

 a. Alfred A. Cunningham Award

    (Marine Aviator of the Year): 

    Maj Maurtice O. Mills, VMM-161

 b. Robert Guy Robinson Award

    (Marine Naval Flight Officer of the Year):

    Maj Nicholas W. Hancock, VMFA-312

 c. Earle Hattaway Award

    (Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):

    CWO3 Tyler J. Bluder, MALS-14

 d. Robert F. Gibson Award

    (Marine Aviation Command and Control Officer of the Year):

    Capt Mitchell L. Harrison, 12th LAAB

 e. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. Award

    (Marine Flight Student of the Year):

    1stLt Trevor R. Salom, MATSG-21

 f. Danny L. Radish Award

    (Marine Enlisted Aircrew of the Year):

    Sgt John P. Parker, VMM-161

 g. Willie D. Sproule Award

    (Aviation Maintenance Marine of the Year):

    GySgt Michael F. Vignuli, HMH-772

 h. Kenneth W. Southcomb Award

    (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):

    MSgt Rikki M. Smith-Lewis, MALS-39

 i. Paul G. Vess Award

    (Avionics Marine of the Year):

    Sgt Nathan K. Jones, VMFA-121

 j. Gaines B. Gilbert Award

    (Aviation Ordnance Marine of the Year):

    GySgt Johnny R. Crittenden, MALS-14

 k. Kenneth A. Innis Award

    (Aviation Command and Control Marine of the Year):

    GySgt John A. Murillo, 12th LAAB

 l. Jack W. Demmond Award

    (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):

    Sgt Emilia R. Corum, VMGR-352

 m. James E. Nicholson Award

    (Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Award):

    Sgt Cody E. Machado, MALS-14

 n. Michael A. Hough Acquisition Award

    (Acquisition Excellence in Marine Aviation): 

    LtCol Alex C. Horne, PMA-201

 o. James Maguire Award

    (Exceptional Achievement):

    SSgt, Christian E. Smellie, VMFA-251

 p. Commandant’s Aviation Trophy Award

    (Superior Performance in Marine Aviation):

    VMFA-225

 q. Robert M. Hanson Award

    (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year):

    VMFA-542

 r. Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award

    (Marine Attack Squadron of the Year):

    VMA-223

 s. Henry Wildfang Award

    (Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron of the Year):

    VMGR-152

 t. Fred McCorkle Award

    (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):

    VMM-265

 u. Keith B. McCutcheon Award

    (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):

    HMH-462

 v. John P. Giguere Award

    (Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):

    HMLA-169

 w. John I. Hudson Award

    (Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron of the Year):

    VMU-3

 x. Donald E. Davis Award

    (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):

    MALS-14

 y. James E. Hatch Award

    (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year)

    MWSS-373

 z. Edward S. Fris Award

    (Marine Air Command and Control Unit of the Year):

    3d LAAB

 aa. Pete Ross Award

     (Superior Performance in Marine Aviation Safety):

     VMGR-152

 ab. James W. Frey Award

     (Marine Unmanned Aerial Systems Officer of the Year):

     Capt Garett B. Goar, VMU-3

 

 ac. Marion E. Carl Award

     (Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot of the Year):

     Maj Daniel M. Kearney, HMHT-302

 ad. Pioneer Award Award

     (Marine Enlisted UAS Sensor Operator of the Year): 

     SSgt Rames A. Jara, VMU-1

 ae. Walter L. J. Baylor Award

     (Command and Control Electronic Maintenance Marine of the Year):

     SSgt Daniel J. Hundley, MACS-2

 af. Jeffery S. Vogel Award

     (Ground Based Air Defense Marine of the Year):

     MSgt Jeremy D. Simms, 2d LAAD

 ag. Ted Williams Award

     (Individual Exceptional Achievement in Reserve Aviation):

     GySgt Timothy P. Ikeda, MASS-6

 ah. Jack Bergman Award

     (Marine Corps Reserve Unit of the Year):

     MATSG-42

 ai. Silver Hawk Award 

     (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):

     Gen Christopher J. Mahoney, Vice Chairman of the Joint

     Chiefs of Staff 

3.  Details regarding travel, lodging, and the event schedule will be

sent separately. Individual award winners and unit representatives

must provide the following information to the HQMC Aviation point of

contact by April 14, 2026: Full name and the names of any guest(s),

Work and mobile phone numbers (DSN/Commercial), and Work and personal

email addresses.

4.  Per reference (b), the uniform for the awards banquet on May 14,

2026, is Evening Dress, SNCO Evening Dress, or Blue Dress 'A'. White

trousers are not permitted.

5.  Public affairs guidance: Award winners will sign a privacy act

statement and be briefed that information may be made available to

civilian media.

6.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General William H. Swan,

Deputy Commandant for Aviation.//