Photo By Sgt. Steven Posy | Capt. Gregory J. Youngberg, a pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367,...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Since 1972, the Marine Corps Aviation Association has recognized the contributions of hundreds of aviation Marines for their performance, on and off the battlefield.
Each year 28 awards are presented to Marines and aviation units that have shown the greatest dedication to completing the Marine Corps mission.
Overall, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing received six of the 13 unit awards and four of the 15 individual awards.
Third MAW was also honored with the recipient of the Marine aviator of the Year award, which was presented to Capt. Gregory J. Youngberg, a pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, 3rd MAW, for serving as the flight planner of several aircraft during the assault on Marjah, Afghanistan.
The Marine Aviator of the Year award is named after Alfred A. Cunningham, the "Father of Marine Corps Aviation," and was first presented in 1962 to Lt. Col. John H. Glenn Jr. The award is presented in recognition of the most outstanding contribution made to Marine aviation, whether in combat, research and development, weapons employment or to overall Marine aviation.
The MCAA 40th Annual Symposium and Reunion was held from May 19 to 21 to celebrate the centennial of Marine Corps aviation. The three-day event kicked off with the symposium, then a golf tournament and ended with the awards banquet.
Vendors who sponsored the awards program began the symposium with a business convention for active duty and retired aviators. The convention provided the opportunity for vendors to show patrons what they contribute to Marine Corps aviation.
The golf tournament was held to raise funds for the MCAA program and the Wounded Warriors Semper Fi Fund. This year’s goal was $20,000.
Support such as this is what allows the MCAA to host and recognize Marines of the aviation community during the awards banquet.
“[The events] all went well this year,” said Earl Wederbrook, MCAA member and site manager for Raytheon, which is an MCAA sponsor. “The reality of it is that these guys are very busy, but still make the time to come out.”
This year’s reunion and banquet kicked-off the year-long centennial celebration of Marine Corps aviation. MCAA sponsors several events throughout the year in support of Marines, active and retired.
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2011 13:22 |
| Story ID: | 71058 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 378 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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