National and Regional Awards

The annual awards period of consideration is the 2024 calendar year (01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024).   Nomination packages for all awards, except the Rear Admiral Tomaszeski Squadron Commanding Officer Leadership Award, must be forwarded to your NHA Regional President by 17 January 2025 and regional award winners should be forwarded to the NHA National Awards Vice President, CDR Justin "Mistrap" Waskey, USN, CO, HSM-49 by 7 February 2025.

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 17 January 2025. Each ISIC will select one winner and forward directly to the NHA National Awards Vice President by 7 February 2025. The overall winner will be selected by the NHA Directors at Large.

The overall winner will be selected by the NHA Directors at Large.

A naval message will be released in March, 2025 announcing the 2024 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. 

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

CDR James R. Walker Award

Awarded to the pilot or aircrewmen who throughout the year demonstrated tactical excellence or innovation and ultimately progressed the tilt/rotary community in his/her assigned billet.  LT James R. Walker, USN | Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society (nhahistoricalsociety.org)

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

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, CDR Justin "Mistrap" Waskey, USN CO, HSM-49, 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]  , 619 545-0332

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

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

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 Rotary Winged/Vertical Lift 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 Rotary Winged/Vertical Lift 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.

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

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 Policy

Nomination Templates

Membership Requirements for Awards