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HT-18 Named Recipient of Two Training Awards

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080325-19
Release Date: 3/25/2008 4:28:00 PM

By Ensign Leslie Vaughan, Naval Air Station Whiting Field Public Affairs

MILTON, Fla. (NNS) -- Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 18, the "Vigilant Eagles," learned March 12 they will be the recipients of the Vice Admiral Robert Goldthwaite Award for Training Excellence.

The "Vigilant Eagles," located aboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field, also received recognition as the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) best advanced training squadron in 2007.

This isn't the first time that HT-18 has so been honored. The squadron earned both the CNATRA Training Excellence Award and the Vice Admiral Goldthwaite Award in 2002 as well.

Rear Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini, CNATRA, sent his congratulations via message to everyone involved in the Vigiliant Eagles' success.

"Congratulations to all for a job well done," he wrote.

HT-18 winged 288 Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Allied aviators during the 2007 calendar year without any Class "A" or Class "B" mishaps. Additionally, 2007 saw the squadron add to a long term mishap-free tally which now stands at more than 1,092,000 flight hours.

Lt. Col. James Kennedy, commanding officer of HT-18, credits the squadron's success to the dedication of its people.

"Every member of our squadron has unselfishly dedicated himself or herself to preparing war-fighters for combat operations. They take the mission to heart," he said.
"It's definitely an honor [to have earned the award], but our pride and validation come from the knowledge that we're training the world's finest helicopter warriors and are cultivating a skill set that they'll apply to a weapon system and bring that weapon system to bear against the enemy."

Training Squadron 28, based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, was the CNATRA Training Excellence Award winner among primary training squadrons.

For more news from Naval Air Station Whiting Field, visit www.navy.mil/local/naswf/.