Army National Guard's FWAATS wins national aviation flight safety award

The Army National Guard’s Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site (FWAATS) has been recognized with a national aviation flight safety award following a June 29 ceremony in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The West Virginia Army National Guard-operated training site received the 2025 Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award, honoring its accident prevention program, safety culture, and support for Army aviation readiness. Sponsored by the Order of Daedalians, the award is presented annually to the training unit judged to run the most effective aircraft accident prevention effort. Leaders presented by retired Brig. Gen. Chad Manske included Brig. Gen. Murray E. “Gene” Holt and Maj. Evan Dale, alongside recognition for 1st Sgt. Frank Carey and the FWAATS team. FWAATS earned the prize after achieving zero Class A, B, or C aviation mishaps in fiscal year 2025 and receiving a 97% Aviation Resource Management Survey safety rating. The site is the Guard’s only fixed-wing training location outside Alabama and has trained more than 2,500 Soldiers since 1992.