SPC Michael R. Hedgpeth, Company C, 2nd Bn., 10th Aviation
Regiment, Fort Drum, N.Y.
The Army Aviation Association of
America (AAAA) has announced its Calendar Year 2004 National Award
Winners. Winning units and individuals are being recognized at the
AAAA Annual Convention, being held this week, May 9-11, 2005, in
Orlando, Fla. The AAAA Annual Convention provides an opportunity
for its members to gather with government and industry
representatives concerned with Army Aviation and participate in the
professional program and exhibits.
The first AAAA Annual Convention was held in June 1959 and has
taken place every year since then. In recent years, the sites of
the AAAA Annual Convention have included Atlanta, Ga.; Fort Worth,
Texas and Nashville, Tenn.
AAAA's Aviation Soldier of the Year for 2004 is
Specialist Michael R. Hedgpeth, a UH-60L Black Hawk
helicopter crew chief with Co. C, 2nd Bn., 10th Avn. Regt., Fort
Drum, N.Y. Assigned in June 2003 as a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter
mechanic, SPC Hedgpeth quickly distinguished himself as an
outstanding Soldier, a hard worker, and one who is eager to
accomplish every task presented to him. In Iraq, as a result of his
demonstrated organizational and management skills, Hedgpeth was
often assigned as a shift leader, supervising the day-to-day
maintenance of 10 UH-60L helicopters (shown below). These aircraft
sustained on average an astonishing 600 flying hours per month.
Hedgpeth's diligent support of Co. A, 2nd Bn., 10th Avn. Regt.
contributed to the unit's ability to fly over 7,000 combat hours
and maintain a 98 percent operational readiness during their
deployment to Iraq. A notable leader, SPC Hedgpeth constantly took
the initiative to complete tasks that were not required of him and
volunteered for the most difficult, challenging and dangerous
missions. He participated as a vehicle crew-served weapons gunner
on numerous resupply missions. On July 1, 2004, while serving as a
weapons gunner on the back of a two-seat Humvee, SPC Hedgpeth's
vehicle was destroyed by a land mine, killing the vehicle commander
and seriously injuring him and the driver. After recovering from
his wounds, which earned him the Purple Heart, he returned to Fort
Drum to continue to support his unit. His can-do attitude and
professionalism leaves no doubt that SPC Hedgpeth is a credit to
Army Aviation, his unit, and the Army.