NHA Awards
The Naval Helicopter Association Awards Program recognizes outstanding performance, leadership, and dedication within the rotary wing and vertical lift aviation community.
Each year, NHA sponsors national-level awards with winners chosen from a field of regional award winners.
National award winners are recognized annually at the NHA Symposium.
Membership opens the door to exclusive events, professional development resources, peer mentorship, and a network that spans generations of Naval helicopter professionals.
2026 NHA AWARD WINNERS
SUBJ: CALENDAR YEAR 2025 NAVAL HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT
Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) takes great pleasure in announcing the following NHA National Award winners for Calendar Year 2025.
Aircrew of the Year (Deployed):
The rotary wing crews of HSC-26 aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).
ROWDY 71: LCDR Bryan Coco, USN | LT Dillon Cox, USN | AWS1 Nikolas Rivero, USN | AWS2 Angelo Esposito, USN
ROWDY 72: LT Blake Butler, USN | LT Thomas Larrea, USN | AWS2 Jayden Darrough, USN | AWS2 Dustin Miller, USN
Aircrew of the Year (Non-Deployed):
Crew of CGNR 6048, Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak — HAC: LT Robert Turns, USCG | Copilot: LCDR Joshua Womboldt, USCG | Flight Mechanic: AMT2 Eric Lamy, USCG | Rescue Swimmer: AST2 Hunter Joseph, USCG
Rescue Swimmer of the Year:
AWS2 Ryan E. O’Neill, USN, HSC-6
Rear Admiral Tomaszeski Commanding Officer Leadership Award:
CDR Arlen M. Connolly, USN, CO of HSM-70
Pilot of the Year:
LT Lauren Greenberg, USN, HSC-26
Commander James R. Walker Tactician of the Year:
LCDR Elijah Fetzko, USN, HSM-70
Shipboard Pilot of the Year: LCDR Andrew Dedo, USN, USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3)
Fleet Instructor Pilot of the Year:
LT Lena A. Reid, USN, HSC-3
Training Command Instructor Pilot of the Year:
LT Ray J. Nilsson, USN, VT-3
Aircrew Instructor of the Year:
AWS1 Joseph J. Sharp, USN, HSCWSL
Aircrewman of the Year:
AWR1 Brenden C. Dalrymple, USN, HSM-37
Maintenance Officer of the Year:
LCDR Pablo A. DeJesus, USN, HSC-12
Senior Enlisted Maintainer of the Year:
AM1(AW) Andrew S. Boden, USN, HM-15
Junior Enlisted Maintainer of the Year:
AD2 Ryan Norris, USN, HSM-40
NHA Volunteer of the Year:
CAPT Sandy Clark, USN (Ret.)
NHA Best Scribe Award:
LCDR Caleb Derrington, USN, HSC-23
NHA Historical Society CAPT Mark Starr Pioneer Award:
CAPT William Personius, USN (Ret.)
Lifelong Service to NHA Award:
MCPO Rick Shoaf, USN (Ret., posth.)
Service to NHA Award:
CAPT Scott Lippincott, USN
NHA Chairman’s Award:
CDR James Gelsinon, USN, HT-28 and LT Chris Dedo, USN, HT-8
NJROTC Medals Information
Award Submission Criteria
Please use the following guidelines when submitting award nominations for service members. All templates may be found below and downloaded by clicking the “Download Nomination Template” button at the bottom of each award tile.
Use of the official NHA nomination templates is MANDATORY
Award Submissions are based on calendar year, NOT fiscal year
Contact information including email address and phone number is required for each nominee
Individuals must be rotary winged/vertical lift aviators to be considered for Training Command Instructor Pilot of the Year and Shipboard Pilot of the Year awards
Rescue Swimmer of the Year award nominations may be for an overwater OR overland rescue
When warranted, individuals may be nominated for more than one award
Shipboard Helicopter Pilot of the Year award nominations should be submitted to the NHA region closest to the ship’s homeport
Social Security Numbers are NOT required
Applicants do NOT need to be an NHA member to receive an award however, it is highly encouraged.
Regional Presidents:
Region 1 President (San Diego)
CDR Ian “Zoo” Adams, USN
Region 2 President (Washington D.C.)
CDR Seth “Deuce” Saalfeld, USN
Region 2 Co-President (Washington D.C.)
CDR Pat “Jester” Jeck, USN
Region 3 President (JAX / Mayport)
CAPT Matthew “Kawika” Chang, USN
Region 4 President (Norfolk)
CAPT Jeremiah “Preacher” Farwell, USN
Region 5 President (Pensacola)
CDR James “POTUS” Gelsinon, USN
Region 6 President (OCONUS / Japan)
CDR Matthew “Bobcat” Foster, USN
Rescue Swimmer of the Year
Awarded to the Rescue Swimmer who accomplished the most notable rescue mission.
Aircrew of the Year (Deployed)
Awarded to the crew that accomplished the most notable embarked mission during the preceding year.
Aircrew of the Year (Non-Deployed)
Awarded to the crew that accomplished the most notable non-embarked mission during the preceding year.
Aircrew Instructor of the Year
Awarded to an instructor aircrewman who has consistently shown superior aeronautical ability and overall performance.
Aircrewman of the Year
Awarded to an aircrewman who consistently showed superior aeronautical ability and overall performance.
Fleet Instructor Pilot of the Year
Awarded to an instructor pilot who has consistently shown superior aeronautical ability and overall performance.
Senior Enlisted Maintenance Person of the Year (E6 to E9)
Awarded to the Chief Petty Officer or Petty Officer assigned to a maintenance department whose dedication and effort have significantly improved the command’s ability to perform its mission.
Junior Enlisted Maintenance Person of the Year (E5 or junior)
Awarded to an enlisted maintenance professional (E-5 and below) whose dedication and efforts have significantly increased the command’s ability to perform its mission.
Maintenance Officer of the Year
Awarded to the maintenance officer whose dedication and effort have significantly increased the command’s ability to perform its mission.
Pilot of the Year
Awarded to the pilot who throughout the year has consistently demonstrated superior aeronautical ability and overall performance.
Shipboard Pilot of the Year
Awarded to a pilot on a disassociated sea tour who has consistently demonstrated superior performance in a ship’s company billet.
Training Command Pilot of the Year
Awarded to a CNATRA instructor pilot who has consistently shown superior aeronautical ability and overall performance.
Rear Admiral Tomaszeski Squadron Commanding Officer Leadership Award
Awarded to the helicopter-designated officer in an O-5 command position in recognition of their unit’s overall excellence and positive command climate as well as the officer’s outstanding example, ability to motivate subordinates, and enforce standards.
Commander James R. Walker Tactician of the Year Award ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Awarded to an individual who exemplified tactical excellence, innovation, and outstanding contributions to the advancement of rotary wing warfighting capabilities and fleet readiness.
