NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) MCAA recognized five winners from the Program Executive Office, Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs (PEO (A)) for their achievements at its annual awards banquet April 17 at The White Rose, Callaway, Md.
The MCAA John Glenn Squadron holds a yearly recognition of top civilian and military performers within the Marine Corps acquisition community for the prior calendar year.
Guest of honor Brig. Gen. David Walsh, PEO (A), remarks touched on the great importance of the work being done in acquisition.
“We do important work, for important people doing an important mission, each and every day,” said Walsh. “What we do is not always recognized but remember that what we do is always for the fleet, those men and women forward. What you do makes a difference to our brothers and sisters in arms deployed around the world defending our country. I promise that if the more than 30,000 Marines deployed right now knew what you were doing day in and out for them, they would thank you personally.”
These distinguished winners are the gold standard of professionalism in acquisition. While these awards are Marine Corps focused programs, each winner’s accolades and work ethic are recognized across services and throughout Naval Air Systems Command.
“The MCAA team has recognized three exceptional heavy lifters for their hard work, dedication to our fleet, and drive for excellence,” said Col. Kate Fleeger, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters program manager and 2017 MCAA winner. “Our winners’ professionalism in program management and test shows the Navy and Marine Corps that PMA-261 is committed to providing the best to support the fleet.”
Only a few Marine and civilian acquisition professionals are featured each year upon selection of the MCAA John Glenn Squadron Marine Aviation Acquisition Awards. The categories are always highly competitive and only those exceptional individuals stand above the rest due to their exceptional leadership and dedication to their respective mission.
“These awards recognize the amazing men and women whose excellence ensures success to our important, no-fail mission,” said Col. Alex Ramthun, Presidential Helicopters (PMA-274) program manager. “I am proud to lead these great Americans and have them part of our talented team.”
The 2025 MCAA John Glenn Squadron Aviation Acquisition Award winners:
Senator John H. Glenn Test Pilot/Naval Flight Officer (NFO) of the Year
Maj Kevin Fleischer, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21), Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL), Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)
Fleischer has distinguished himself as a HX-21 developmental test pilot and acquisition professional on two critical ACAT-1 platforms: VH-92A Patriot and CH-53K King Stallion. Fleischer serves as the VH-92A Government Flight Test Director (GFTD) in addition to supporting CH-53K King Stallion flight testing. On both assets, he has significantly reduced technical risk for two critically important aircraft programs.
As a senior military test pilot on the CH-53, he led diverse projects from envelope expansion to interoperability that provided threshold capabilities needed for the CH-53K upcoming maiden deployment. He was hand selected as the GFTD for the VH-92A test team, providing active-duty Marine test expertise on the Marine Corps’ only “no fail” aviation mission. His contributions to both programs has ensured success on high visibility USMC acquisition efforts.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this award from the MCAA John Glenn Squadron and it’s a privilege to be recognized alongside these talented and dedicated individuals,” said Fleisher. “I’m especially thankful for the mentors who’ve supported and guided me along the way. Contributing to flight test efforts in support of the Navy and Marine Corps has been an incredibly rewarding experience.”
J.J. McCue Civilian Tester of the Year
George Dameron, VH-92A Mission Systems Test Team Lead and the Configuration Management, Instrumentation, Modification, and Prototyping Team Lead, Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274)
As the civilian test and evaluation (T&E) professional, Dameron’s innovative approach to test facilitated the rapid introduction of important upgrades, Starlink/Starshield capability, to the VH-92A aircraft.
Dameron set the benchmark for rapid prototyping and modification performance in support of Marine Corps aviation T&E. He introduced additive manufacturing and 3D printing to quickly create test equipment and aircraft parts. Dameron’s team created and tested a high performing cabin noise reduction solution within 92 percent reduction in schedule, while meeting 90 percent of the performance requirement using only 25 percent of the budgeted weight. He provided a unique solution to enable the VH-92A to become the very first and only rotary wing aircraft in the world to fly with Starshield SATCOM, achieving system performance 366.25 percent above objective with an increase of 18,550 percent over existing capability.
“I’ve been blessed to work with many talented people at the Presidential Helicopter Support Facility,” remarked Dameron. “This award is fruit of their hard work and ingenuity. As a group, we have always tried to focus on supporting HMX-1’s mission via creative solutions to their emergent issues, and getting things into their hands as quickly, and inexpensively as possible.”
Lieutenant General Michael A. Hough Acquisition Officer of the Year
Lt. Col. Joseph J. Davin, Production Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead and Mission Communications System (MCS) IPT Lead, Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274)
Davin stood up the VH-92A power margin improvement efforts, finished aircraft production, and guided the Starlink/Starshield capability’s fielding to produce and modernize the VH-92A. During closed out of VH-92A production, he ensured the on-schedule delivery of the final eight aircraft under cost targets and began modernization by awarding necessary contracts. He facilitated the rapid integration of Starlink/Starshield Proliferated Low Earth Orbit beyond line-of-sight satellite communications, making the VH-92A the first rotary wing aircraft in the world to fly with this game-changing capability.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to work alongside the outstanding professionals of PMA-274, as well as numerous mentors and leaders who continuously inspire and guide me,” said Davin. “This award would not have been possible without their unwavering support and encouragement. I am truly humbled and honored.”
Thomas E. Laux Acquisition Civilian of the Year
Heather D. Wicks, Air Vehicle Integrated Program Team (IPT) Lead, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261)
Wicks demonstrated exceptional leadership, ensuring continuity across complex projects and delivering critical capabilities for the Marine Corps. She drove key initiatives, including a major cost avoidance through a cabin armor retrofit decision and her proactive mitigation of micro-cracking risks in APU tubes. Her innovative approach and consistent excellence set a benchmark in acquisition management, enhancing Navy and Marine Corps readiness.
“I’m grateful to have received this award,” commented Wicks. “It’s truly a reflection of the amazing team I have the privilege to work with supporting PMA-261 and the heavy lift mission.”
Gunnery Sergeant Sean Joyce/Master Gunnery Sergeant Gary Leader Acquisition Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) of the Year
Staff Sgt. Gage H. Bellamy, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO ONE (HX-21), Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL), Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)
Staff Sgt. Bellamy has distinguished himself as a CH-53 test aircrewman and project SNCO for both CH-53E in-service sustainment efforts and CH-53K developmental test programs. His technical expertise and test execution on Cargo Aerial Delivery, Sonobuoy deployment, GAU-21 live-fire improvements, ARC-210 radio integration, and cold weather envelope expansion delivered fleet capability that met or exceeded threshold Marine Expeditionary Unit requirements for CH-53K maiden deployment.
“I could not have done this without my team,” said Bellamy. “It is a great honor to be among the 2024 winners and all previous MCAA winners.”
About the Programs
PMA-261 manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, support, fielding and disposal of the entire family of H-53 heavy lift helicopters.
PMA-274 provides safe, reliable, secure, affordable aircraft and support to Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) 1.
PEO(A) provides fleet capability and capacity, supporting development and sustainment of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, special mission aircraft and aviation anti-submarine warfare equipment and aircraft. PEO(A) is comprised of ten major program offices.