National and Regional Awards

The annual awards period of consideration is the 2020 calendar year (01 January 2020 to 31 December 2020).   Nomination packages for all awards, except the Rear Admiral Tomaszeski Squadron Commanding Officer Leadership Award, must be forwarded to your NHA Regional President by 20 January 2021 and regional award winners should be forwarded to the NHA National Awards Vice President by 10 February 2021.

Nominations for the Rear Admiral Tomaszeski Squadron Commanding Officer Leadership Award must be forwarded by individual units to their respective isic (CAGs may endorse nominations for selection by TYCOMS) by 20 January 2021. Each isic will select one winner and forward directly to the NHA National Awards Vice President by 10 February 2021. The overall winner will be selected by the NHA Directors at Large.

A naval message will be relased in March, 2021 announcing the 2020 National NHA award winners.

Rear Adm. Tomaszeski Squadron Commanding Officer Leadership Award 

This award is given to a helicopter-designated officer in an O-5 command position in recognition of his or her unit's overall excellence and positive command climate. The recipient must exemplify an outstanding example, and have the ability to motivate subordinates and enforce standards. 

Notes:

a. Use of the templates is mandatory. Awards templates have been updated to mirror the CNAF annual award format.  All submissions must include an electronic copy of the award. Contact information for each nominee including e-mail address and phone number is required with their submission.

b. Individuals must be a rotary winged aviator to be considered for Training Command Instructor Pilot of the Year and Shipboard Pilot of the Year Awards.

c. Rescue Swimmer of the Year Award nominations may be for an overwater or overland rescue.

d. Templates, guidelines, timelines, and national/regional POCs are listed on the NHA Awards Template web page link.

e. When warranted, individuals may be nominated for more than one award.

f. Request Shipboard Helicopter Pilot of the Year Award nominations be submitted to the NHA Region closest to the ships homeport.

g. Social Security Numbers are no longer required. 

As the NHA National Vice President for Awards, I look forward to working with you and thank you for your continued support of NHA. If you have any questions, I can be reached at  [email protected]  CDR Mike Silver, USN.

Single Action Awards

Aircrew of the Year (Deployed)
Awarded to the flight crew which accomplished the most notable deployed helicopter mission during the preceding year and demonstrated the most professional airmanship and overall performance as a crew during helicopter operations. 

Aircrew of the Year (Non-Deployed)
Awarded to the flight crew which accomplished the most notable non-deployed helicopter mission during the preceding year. and demonstrated the most professional airmanship and overall performance as a crew during helicopter operations.

Rescue Swimmer of the Year 
Awarded to an enlisted Rescue Swimmer who accomplished the most notable rescue mission during the year. 

Sustained Performance Awards

Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) of the Year (Pilot)

Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award.

Awarded to the Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) (Pilot) who throughout the year has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned billet. 

Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) Instructor of the Year (Pilot)

Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award.

Awarded to a FRS or Weapons School Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) (Pilot )who has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned flying billet. 

Mission Payload Operator (MPO) of the Year (Aircrew)

Awarded to the Mission Payload Operator (MPO) enlisted aircrewman whose performance throughout the year has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned billet.  

Mission Payload Operator (MPO) Instructor of the Year (Aircrew)

Awarded to the Mission Payload Operator (MPO) enlisted aircrew instructor who has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned flying billet. 

Pilot of the Year 
Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award. 
Awarded to the pilot who throughout the year has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned billet. 

Shipboard Helicopter Pilot of the Year 
Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award.
Awarded to a pilot on his/her first disassociated sea tour in the rank of O-4 and below who has consistently demonstrated superior performance in his/her assigned duties while serving in a ship’s company or embarked staff billet. 

Fleet Instructor Pilot of the Year:
Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award.
Awarded to a FRS or Weapons School pilot who has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned flying billet. 

Training Command Pilot of the Year
Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award.
Awarded to a Training Command instructor pilot who has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned flying billet.

Aircrew Instructor of the Year 
Awarded to the enlisted aircrew instructor who has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned flying billet. 

Aircrewman of the Year
Awarded to the enlisted aircrewman whose performance throughout the year has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and performance in his/her assigned billet. 

Maintenance Officer of the Year
Awarded to the unit Maintenance Officer assigned to the unit’s Maintenance Department whose dedication and effort have significantly improved his/her command’s ability to perform its mission. 

Senior Enlisted Maintainer (E-6 — E-9) of the Year
Awarded to a Chief Petty Officer/Petty Officer First Class assigned to a unit’s Maintenance Department whose dedication and effort have significantly increased their command’s ability to perform its mission. 

Junior Enlisted Maintainer (E-5 or Below) of the Year
Awarded to an enlisted person (E-5 or Below) assigned to a unit’s Maintenance Department whose dedication and effort have significantly increased his/her command’s ability to perform its mission.  

Best Scribe
Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award.

Service to NHA
Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award. 

Lifelong Service to NHA
Must be a member with dues paid to date and the year prior to receiving this award.

Awards Home

Awardee Benefits

Nomination Templates

Membership Requirements for Awards