The NAHF Class of 2018 is a diverse group representing a broad range of enduring contributions to both the advancement of flight and the manned exploration of space:

Colonel Walter Cunningham, USMCR (Ret) is a decorated Korean War veteran, fighter pilot, physicist, Apollo 7 Lunar Module Pilot and SKYLAB Chief.

General John R. (Jack) Dailey, USMC (Ret) is a decorated Vietnam veteran, Former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Staff, Former Deputy Administrator of NASA and the acting Director of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

(The late)  William H. (Bill) Dana was a 40 year veteran of NASA, test pilot and aeronautical engineer. He was also the project pilot for the X-15 and pilot astronaut for the X-20, among several other aircraft.

General Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF (Ret) is a United States Air Force Academy graduate, decorated Vietnam veteran (logging 80 missions as a Misty), Command Pilot and Parachutist, 15th Chief of Staff of the Air Force and author of the Air Force Core Values.

Caribbean, and Northern California.  Within days and over the succeeding weeks, hundreds of volunteers from public benefit flying and other groups created a large relief effort providing rescue and critical aid to communities large and small throughout the affected regions.

For more information about the 2017 Public Benefit Flying Award recipients, please click here.

The Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award was established in 1954 to honor outstanding Americans, who, by their efforts over a period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics and have reflected credit upon America and themselves.

NAA added six remarkable individuals to our list of Statesman at the Fall Awards Dinner:

Stephen Alterman for dedicating 42 years to advancing the interests of the all-cargo air carrier industry through his commitment to policymaking and remarkable foresight of the industry.

Ali Bahrami for his leadership, commitment, and collaborative work throughout his career, which has helped to advance the safety of global civil aviation by validating new commercial aircraft systems and promoting international cooperation on aviation safety issues.

Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden for his exemplary leadership, vision, and dedication to promoting the importance of human flight, discovery, and understanding of our planet, all of which advance the quality of life around the globe.

Jeff Hamiel for devoting over 40 years of service at the Metropolitan Airports Commission, where he navigated a complex and difficult terrain at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport and six general aviation airports.

Jack Pelton for his extensive and renowned career in aviation, which includes serving as the current Chairman and CEO of the Experimental Aircraft Association and past Chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Co.

Phil Woodruff for his significant contributions to aviation throughout his career as Director of Education for the Federal Aviation Administration, where his leadership strengthened partnerships among government, industry, and education.

For more information about the 2017 Distinguished Statesman of Aviation, please click here.

The last award presentation of the evening was the Mackay Trophy.  The Mackay Trophy was established by NAA in 1912 and is awarded "... for the most meritorious U.S. Air Force flight in the previous year; also for gallantry, intrepidity, initiative, resourcefulness, and achievement of outstanding results in combat or non-combat conditions."

General Stephen Wilson, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force and Lieutenant General Stephen Wood presented the trophy to the Crew of Spooky 43 Flight.

As outlined in the United States Air Force nomination, the crew of SPOOKY 43 distinguished itself while participating in sustained aerial flight as an AC-130U Gunship Aircrew, 4th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component - Afghanistan, in support of Operation FREEDOM's SENTINEL. 

On November 2, 2016, the crew of SPOOKY 43 was tasked to provide close air support and armed reconnaissance for a 55-man combined American and Afghan special operations team conducting a raid to interdict insurgent command and control nodes, senior leadership, and their networks. After the crew of SPOOKY 43 arrived overhead, the combined American and Afghan special operations force (also referred to as "friendlies") was caught in a deadly ambush by a large insurgent force. The friendlies were engaged by small arms, heavy machine gun, and grenade fire from multiple defensive fighting positions. The crew of SPOOKY 43 provided close air support to the friendly ground force with the 25, 40, and 105-millimeter guns, to allow the them the freedom to maneuver and provide care for casualties. In order to protect the ground team from enemy personnel, the crew of SPOOKY 43 expertly employed the 105-millimeter gun at an unprecedented 12 meters from the friendly personnel. Due to the outstanding airmanship and bravery under extremely challenging circumstances, SPOOKY 43 destroyed 10 defensive fighting positions, 27 enemy insurgents, and three enemy technical vehicles, saving the lives of 50 combined American and Afghan special operations forces personnel who would have otherwise perished in the enemy ambush. The professional ability and outstanding aerial accomplishments of the crew of SPOOKY 43 reflect credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.

For more information on the 2016 Mackay Trophy, please click here.

Congratulations to all of the recipients and honorees who accepted their awards at the Fall Awards Dinner!