The commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing presented two squadrons with the Chief of Naval Operations 2006 Naval Aviation Safety Award at their hangars Sept. 18.

Brig. Gen. Robert Schmidle spoke to the Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 about the significance of the award, which is presented to units for having an occupational mishap-free year.

“This award is really a big deal,” Schmidle said while speaking to the Marines of HMM-262. “It may not appear that way to you when you’re in the trenches fixing planes, but you have a culture of excellence. You’ve always done things well.”

HMM-262 flew 5,379 flight hours and performed 16,373 landings throughout last year without any mishaps, according to Capt. Kenneth Morrow, the aviation safety officer for HMM-262.

Meanwhile, VMGR-152 has logged over 260,000 mishap-free hours and has not had a mishap since the Vietnam War, according to Lt. Col. Dwight Neely, commanding officer of VMGR-152.

“Thirty-seven years without a mishap. That is almost beyond belief,” Schmidle said while speaking to the Marines of VMGR-152. “You’ve been doing this longer than I’ve been in the Marine Corps.” [ANN Salutes Lance Cpl. David Rogers, MCB Camp Butler]

FMI: www.usmc.mil