Awards
Annual Awards Presented by SoUSAFFS
Malcolm C. Grow Award
The Malcolm C. Grow Award was approved by the Society’s Board of Governors in 1961 to advance the practice of aerospace medicine by recognizing outstanding contributions of Department of the Air Force flight surgeons to aerospace organizations. This award not only recognizes these accomplishments but also focuses attention on those qualities most essential to our primary mission.
Olson-Wegner Award
Established by the Society of USAF Flight Surgeons to recognize aeromedical enlisted personnel for their contributions to the Department of the Air Force Aerospace Medicine Program, this award is presented to the most outstanding aeromedical technicians in the Department of the Air Force. This award is in memory of Master Sergeant Gary J. Olson and Airman Shane D. Wegner who lost their lives in a helicopter accident on 25 October 1991. Beginning in 1999, the award was divided into three categories: Airman, NCO, and Senior NCO.
George E. Schafer Award
The George E. Schafer Award was approved by the Society’s Board of Governors in 1978 to recognize outstanding contributions of Department of the Air Force flight surgeons to the health, welfare, safety, and mission effectiveness of Department of the Air Force aerospace personnel as well as to the vitality of the specialty of Aerospace Medicine over an extended period.
Howard R. Unger Award
The Howard R. Unger Award was established by the Society of USAF Flight Surgeon's Board of Governors in 1985. This award seeks to encourage and reward publication of original work by Department of the Air Force flight surgeons. The award goes to the best paper written by a Department of the Air Force flight surgeon that is published in Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine during the previous year. Originally called the Best Paper Award, it was renamed in 1988 to honor Major General Howard R. Unger, Chief Flight Surgeon, and former President of the Society.
Julian E. Ward Award
The Julian E. Ward Award was established and sponsored by the Society of USAF Flight Surgeons in memory of its first member to have lost his life in an aircraft accident and to honor all flight surgeons whose lives are lost in the pursuit of flying activities relating to the practice of aerospace medicine. The award is given annually for superior performance and/or outstanding achievement in the art and science of aerospace medicine during residency training.
Operational Flight Surgeon Safety Award
The Operational Flight Surgeon Safety Award was approved by the Society’s Board of Governors in 2002 to recognize outstanding safety achievements by operational flight surgeons. Nominees must have made significant contributions to safety over the preceding calendar year. Nominee contributions to all areas of safety are encouraged and are not restricted to aviation safety. The Awards Committee Review panel, which scores the nomination packages, includes an Air Force Flight Safety Center representative.
Team Aerospace Award
The intent of this award is to recognize an active duty or ARC team for significant contributions to the Mission and Vision of Team Aerospace over the preceding calendar year. Nominees must have made significant contributions to the Mission and Vision of Team Aerospace to be eligible for this award. Nominations must address contributions to the Team Aerospace mission and vision, the achieved results and how the Team Aerospace actions promoted and enhanced the operational health, safety, and performance while demonstrating the inter-reliability of Team Aerospace functions.