FWS Super Cub landing near Fairbanks, Alaska.  Photographer Dave Sowards, October 7, 2005.

FWS Super Cub Returning from Kodiak Bear Survey Photographer Bill Smoke, May 19, 2005.

Department of Interior aviation safety awards will be presented to 14 US Fish and Wildlife Service pilots at the semi-annual pilot ground school in Fairbanks, Alaska on December 6, 2005.  These awards are presented as recognition for pilots who have distinguished themselves by safe flying for the period considered.  The award categories are: Award of Merit - five years or 1,000 hours of safe flying;  Award of Distinction - ten years or 3,000 hours of safe flying; Award of Excellence -fifteen years or 5,000 hours of safe flying; Award of Honor - 20 years or 7,500 hours of safe flying; Secretary's Award of Honor - more than 25 years or more than 10,000 hours of safe flying.

The following pilots will receive awards this year: 

Award of Merit:  Paul Anderson, five years and 1,600 hours;  LeeAnne Ayres, five years and 1,102 hours;  Garland Dobson, six years and 1,695 hours;  Jim Ellis, three years and 1,056 hours;  Brad Scotton, three years and 1,181 hours.

Award of Distinction:  Ed Mallek, eight years and 3,082 hours;  Mike Wade, eleven years and 2,399 hours.

Award of Excellence:  Don Carlson, fifteen years and 3,301 hours;  Paul Liedberg, sixteen years and 3,156 hours.

Award of Honor:  Mike Hinkes, eighteen years and 7,965 hours;  Jack Hodges, twenty one years and 4,130 hours;  Mike Spindler, twenty one years and 6,395 hours.

Secretary’s Award of Honor:  Dave Sowards, twenty years and 10,575 hours;  Mike Vivion, twenty five years and 9,000 hours. 

Fish and Wildlife Service pilots conduct flights in extremely challenging conditions to support Refuge, Migratory Bird and Law Enforcement missions throughout Alaska, Northern Canada and as far as Mexico.  Their dedication to the mission, the Fish and Wildlife Service training and mentoring program and our aviation safety culture all helped them to achieve these honors.