FORT RUCKER, Ala. (February 13, 2015) -- Aviators from across the Army received recognition for their outstanding efforts in 2014 at the Army Aviation Association of America Functional Awards ceremony Feb. 4 in the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
Maj. Gen. Michael D. Lundy, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, presented the awards to the winners.
The awards have been given out since 1972, and the U.S. Army Air Traffic Control Activity annually selects air traffic control awardees in separate categories from two main categories: the Air Traffic Control Awards and the AAAA Awards.
ATC Maintenance Technician of the Year
The 2014 ATC Maintenance Technician of the Year Award was presented to Staff Sgt. Paul Anderson, 2nd Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Florida.
"This award is presented to the technician who contributed greatly to ground systems or displayed outstanding technical competence while maintaining ground systems during the calendar year," said the narrator.
Air Traffic Controller of the Year
The 2014 Air Traffic Controller of the Year Award was presented to Staff Sgt. Christopher Smades, F Company, 1st Bn., 52nd Avn. Regt., Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
"The Air Traffic Controller of the Year Award is presented to the air traffic controller who has demonstrated superior performance by selflessly giving of one's self to air traffic control above that which is required," said the narrator.
ATC Manager of the Year
This award was presented to CW2 Edwin Reyes, 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment-Korea, U.S. Forces, Korea.
This award is presented to the manager who has performed outstandingly and contributed commendably to air traffic control in areas of developing air traffic control procedures that have improved the management of air traffic control and is dedicated to air traffic control beyond the normal requirement or expectation, according to the narrator.
ATC Facility of the Year
The Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year Award was presented to Shindad Airbase Control Tower, F Co., 1st Bn., 52nd Avn. Regt., and was accepted by Capt. Adam Zerr and Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Redondo. Shindad Airbase Control Tower was presented the award for contributing greatly to safe and efficient air traffic control, according to the narrator.
ATC Unit of the Year
This tactical air traffic control unit award went to F Co., 1st Bn., 52nd Avn. Regt., for achieving significant goals in accomplishing the tactical mission. The award was accepted by CW2 Ryan Gallups and 1st Sgt. David Green.
Army Aviation Trainer of the Year
This award is presented to the trainer who has made an outstanding individual contribution to Army Aviation during the award period and was awarded to CW4 Richard Bebb, Eagle Team, Operations Group, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California.
Army Aviation Medicine Award
The 2014 Army Aviation Medicine Award was presented to Col. John Smyrski, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, for outstanding individual contributions to Army Aviation.
Army Aviation DUSTOFF Flight Medic of the Year
This year's award for Flight Medic of the Year was presented to Sgt. Derek Polite, C Co., 7th Bn., 101st Avn. Regt., 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
"This award is presented to the flight medic who, through his or her demonstrated performance of duty, exemplifies the spirit of the DUSTOFF mission," said the narrator.
Army Aviation Air and Sea Rescue Award
The Army Aviation Air and Sea Rescue Award was presented to Soldiers from Dustoff 66 and Dustoff 54: CW3 Bradley Renneke, Capt. John Price., Sgt. Christopher Jayne, Spc. Israel Figueroa, Spc. Cory Schneidtmiller, CW3 Daniel Sternberg, CW2 Bryce Yarbrough, Sgt. 1st Class Scott Dinse and Sgt. Robert Blinn, all of C Co., 2nd Bn., 1st CAB, Task Force Demon.
This award is given to the crew that performed a live saving rescue or easing of suffering of an individual or individuals during the award period, according to the narrator.
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