Army National Guard wins National Aviation Safety Award

The Army National Guard won a National Aviation Safety Award tied to fixed-wing training after its Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site (FWAATS) received the 2025 Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award. The ceremony took place June 29 in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and recognized the unit’s accident prevention program, safety culture, and contribution to Army aviation readiness. The award is sponsored by the Order of Daedalians and is presented annually to the Army aviation training unit judged to have the most effective aircraft accident prevention program. FWAATS earned it after achieving zero Class A, B, or C aviation mishaps in fiscal year 2025 and posting a 97% Aviation Resource Management Survey safety rating. Leaders including Maj. Gen. Daniel Degelow attended, while retired Brig. Gen. Chad Manske presented the award to Brig. Gen. Murray E. “Gene” Holt and Maj. Evan Dale. Operated by the West Virginia Army National Guard, the site has trained more than 2,500 Soldiers since 1992.