US Army, May 10, 2025 - CENTENNIAL, COLORADO by Sgt 1st Class Joseph VonNida - The Colorado National Guard’s High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Gypsum, Colorado, has been awarded the Order of the Daedalians, Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Flight Safety Award.
This recognition is awarded annually to the Army aviation training unit with the most effective aircraft accident prevention program as determined by the commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
“HAATS receiving the safety award from TRADOC is a strong indication of how Colorado leads the way in training at the edge of the envelope,” U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nicholas Tucker, COARNG director of aviation and safety, said.
U.S. Air Force (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney, former adjutant general of Colorado, presented the award April 9, 2025, at HAATS.
“Throughout fiscal year 2024, HAATS has upheld a flawless safety record with zero Class A, Class B, or Class C mishaps, highlighting its proactive safety culture built on continuous training, transparency, and open communication,” U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick Cavanaugh, HAATS aviation safety officer, said. “This commitment to safety was further validated in July when HAATS achieved an impressive 98% score on the ARMS (Aviation Resource Management Survey) inspection, demonstrating its strict adherence to safety protocols and dedication to aviation safety excellence.”
HAATS employs an innovative Power Management training methodology, ensuring pilots develop a deep understanding of aircraft power requirements in all flight regimes. HAATS is the only Department of Defense aviation school offering this realistic, high-altitude, and rough terrain training. The training site is a critical resource for rotary-wing military pilots worldwide.
This mission-focused approach prepares aviators for complex operations by challenging them in real-world mountainous terrain, including in multi-ship formations and high-altitude flight. Over the years, the facility has trained pilots from Slovenia, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Republic of Georgia, enhancing global aviation capabilities.
“The unit employs robust risk mitigation strategies, including weekly and monthly safety briefs to analyze near misses, enhance awareness, and implement preventive measures,” Cavanaugh said. “Soldiers at all levels throughout the organization have attended and plan to attend Human Factors Analysis and Classification System training. This increases safety awareness at the HAATS.”
An example of HAATS’ safety culture occurred during a recent training exercise where maintainers identified a critical issue involving loose idlers on a CH-47F Chinook helicopter’s tunnel flight controls. Their prompt corrective action prevented potential aircraft damage and averted a significant flight safety hazard.
“This improves readiness by keeping aircraft operational and safe for the students that attend training at HAATS weekly. One of the key tenets that is taught is to increase your situational awareness as a crew. This directly translates to a safe and aware mindset,” Cavanaugh said. “This award says that we are at the forefront of training safely, providing unparalleled training resulting in a high level of readiness for the current and future fight.”
HAATS crews support on average 20 high-altitude rescues a year in Colorado and are credited with saving 541 lives which has previously earned them a TAG (The Adjutant General) unit citation.
“HAATS mitigates the risk exceptionally well with well trained staff and thorough risk analysis of every flight,” Tucker said.
This leads to enhanced war fighting capabilities amongst all DoD rotary wing aviators, enabling combat aviation to deliver lethal effects on the battlefield.
HAATS is also actively engaged with NASA, contributing to a training program that prepares pilots for future lunar travel and landings. NASA’s goal in partnering with HAATS is to build a program that will give every astronaut a shared base of knowledge that covers some of the challenges associated with landing on the moon. This further demonstrates its global reach and innovation in aviation training.
The Order of the Daedalians Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award
The Order of the Daedalians Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award is a prestigious annual recognition presented by the Order of Daedalians, a national fraternity of military pilots. This award honors the U.S. Army aviation training unit that demonstrates the most effective aircraft accident prevention program.
Established in 1970, the award is named after Lieutenant General Allen M. Burdett Jr., a distinguished Army aviator and leader. Throughout his career, Lt. Gen. Burdett served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, earning numerous decorations including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal. He was instrumental in advancing Army aviation and was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1980.
Recipients of the award are recognized for their exceptional commitment to flight safety, proactive risk management, and fostering a culture that prioritizes accident prevention. For instance, the 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment received the award in 2023 for their exemplary safety record, having flown 137,000 hours without a Class A or B mishap. Similarly, the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment was honored in 2022 for their outstanding safety program and accident-free operations.
The award underscores the importance of safety in Army aviation training and operations, celebrating units that uphold the highest standards in safeguarding personnel and equipment.
This recognition is awarded annually to the Army aviation training unit with the most effective aircraft accident prevention program as determined by the commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
“HAATS receiving the safety award from TRADOC is a strong indication of how Colorado leads the way in training at the edge of the envelope,” U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nicholas Tucker, COARNG director of aviation and safety, said.
U.S. Air Force (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney, former adjutant general of Colorado, presented the award April 9, 2025, at HAATS.
“Throughout fiscal year 2024, HAATS has upheld a flawless safety record with zero Class A, Class B, or Class C mishaps, highlighting its proactive safety culture built on continuous training, transparency, and open communication,” U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick Cavanaugh, HAATS aviation safety officer, said. “This commitment to safety was further validated in July when HAATS achieved an impressive 98% score on the ARMS (Aviation Resource Management Survey) inspection, demonstrating its strict adherence to safety protocols and dedication to aviation safety excellence.”
HAATS employs an innovative Power Management training methodology, ensuring pilots develop a deep understanding of aircraft power requirements in all flight regimes. HAATS is the only Department of Defense aviation school offering this realistic, high-altitude, and rough terrain training. The training site is a critical resource for rotary-wing military pilots worldwide.
This mission-focused approach prepares aviators for complex operations by challenging them in real-world mountainous terrain, including in multi-ship formations and high-altitude flight. Over the years, the facility has trained pilots from Slovenia, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Republic of Georgia, enhancing global aviation capabilities.
“The unit employs robust risk mitigation strategies, including weekly and monthly safety briefs to analyze near misses, enhance awareness, and implement preventive measures,” Cavanaugh said. “Soldiers at all levels throughout the organization have attended and plan to attend Human Factors Analysis and Classification System training. This increases safety awareness at the HAATS.”
An example of HAATS’ safety culture occurred during a recent training exercise where maintainers identified a critical issue involving loose idlers on a CH-47F Chinook helicopter’s tunnel flight controls. Their prompt corrective action prevented potential aircraft damage and averted a significant flight safety hazard.
“This improves readiness by keeping aircraft operational and safe for the students that attend training at HAATS weekly. One of the key tenets that is taught is to increase your situational awareness as a crew. This directly translates to a safe and aware mindset,” Cavanaugh said. “This award says that we are at the forefront of training safely, providing unparalleled training resulting in a high level of readiness for the current and future fight.”
HAATS crews support on average 20 high-altitude rescues a year in Colorado and are credited with saving 541 lives which has previously earned them a TAG (The Adjutant General) unit citation.
“HAATS mitigates the risk exceptionally well with well trained staff and thorough risk analysis of every flight,” Tucker said.
This leads to enhanced war fighting capabilities amongst all DoD rotary wing aviators, enabling combat aviation to deliver lethal effects on the battlefield.
HAATS is also actively engaged with NASA, contributing to a training program that prepares pilots for future lunar travel and landings. NASA’s goal in partnering with HAATS is to build a program that will give every astronaut a shared base of knowledge that covers some of the challenges associated with landing on the moon. This further demonstrates its global reach and innovation in aviation training.
Order of the Daedalians Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr.
The Order of the Daedalians Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award
The Order of the Daedalians Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award is a prestigious annual recognition presented by the Order of Daedalians, a national fraternity of military pilots. This award honors the U.S. Army aviation training unit that demonstrates the most effective aircraft accident prevention program.
Established in 1970, the award is named after Lieutenant General Allen M. Burdett Jr., a distinguished Army aviator and leader. Throughout his career, Lt. Gen. Burdett served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, earning numerous decorations including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal. He was instrumental in advancing Army aviation and was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1980.
Recipients of the award are recognized for their exceptional commitment to flight safety, proactive risk management, and fostering a culture that prioritizes accident prevention. For instance, the 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment received the award in 2023 for their exemplary safety record, having flown 137,000 hours without a Class A or B mishap. Similarly, the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment was honored in 2022 for their outstanding safety program and accident-free operations.
The award underscores the importance of safety in Army aviation training and operations, celebrating units that uphold the highest standards in safeguarding personnel and equipment.
Eagle County Regional See also |
Colorado National Guard US Army Aviation Colorado ARNG High-Altitude Aviation Training Facility
