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.

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