Awards - People Planes Places

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, May-June, 2004 | by Brandy Lewis

Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan's Combined Bachelor Housing received its fourth consecutive fivestar Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Award for Excellence on 29 January. The award is given to housing operations that meet or exceed the highest lodging industry standards.

Six helicopter pilots and three maintainers with HSL-51 received Air Medals on 14 January. The medals were awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in more than 300 missions in 2003. Recipients were LCdr. Christopher Mills; Lts. Jason Bauman, Thor Burbach, Ross Drenning, Christopher Gavin and Christopher Rutland; AW1(AW) Shane Terrel; and AW2s Russell Krenz and William Smouse.

Four members of VAQ-147 received individual action Air Medals with Combat Vs on 20 November 2003 for heroic achievement in aerial flight in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Recipients were CO Cdr. Jeffrey Ruth, LCdr. Jeffrey Craig, Lt. Steve Shauberger and Ltjg. Travis Hartman.

VR-52 was named the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center's Large Aircraft Unit of the Year for 2003. In selecting the winner, the center focuses on the success rate of missions and airlifts in support of other services.

ATC1 Odarious L. Chambers was selected as the 2003 Air Forces Atlantic Air Traffic Controller of the Year. He also received the 2003 Vice Admiral Robert B. Pirie Naval Air Traffic Controller of the Year Award for his involvement in Theodore Roosevelt's (CVN 71) deployment in support of Operation Freedom.

HT-8 was the small shore winner of the 2003 CNO Community Service Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship Award. Also, Lt. Heath Sarvis from HT-8 was named the 2003 Naval Helicopter Association Region 5 Instructor Pilot of the Year.

Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant of the Coast Guard, selected a CGAS Sitka, Alaska HH-60J Jayhawk crew as recipients of the 2003 Coast Guard Foundation Award, recognizing heroic or lifesaving acts in the line of duty. The crewmembers were Cdrs. Scott Pollock and J. Russell Bowman; LCdr. Mark Reynolds; Chief Petty Officer Dennis Schoenwether; and Petty Officer Edmond Cumplido.

EDITED BY JOSN Brandy Lewis