NATCA Celebrates its Members’ Best Work with Annual Archie League Medal of Safety and Commitment to Safety Awards; Livestream Friday, June 17 at Noon CDT

Jun 16, 2022

WASHINGTON – The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) on Friday will be honoring many of its members with the annual Archie League Medal of Safety Award and the Region X Commitment to Safety Award. Details below:

WHAT: NATCA’s 16^th and 17^th Archie League Medal of Safety Awards, and 5^th and 6^th Region X Commitment to Safety Awards.

WHEN: Friday, June 17, starting at noon CDT.

WHERE: Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel.

LIVESTREAM: Available here.

ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARD YOUTUBE PLAYLIST: Located here, and will be updated throughout Friday’s event with the audio and radar replay video from each new 2020 and 2021 winning flight assist.

ABOUT THE ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARD: The ability to think quickly and remain calm under pressure while maintaining situational awareness are just some of the unique qualities that air traffic controllers possess. Their willingness to resolve complex situations without hesitation, offer a reassuring voice to those on the frequency, and ability to coordinate their efforts with other controllers help these dedicated professionals be successful at maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS).

While many controllers often feel that they are “just doing their job,” their hard work is often viewed by others as remarkable and extraordinary. The Archie League Medal of Safety Awards, named for the first U.S. air traffic controller, were first presented in 2005 to honor exceptional air traffic controller work that took place in 2004. The program highlights a variety of aviation “saves” — some of which involve a team of controllers working together, while others are the result of one controller’s efforts.

ABOUT THE REGION X COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AWARD: The Region X Commitment to Safety Award is given annually to a NATCA Region X member (FAA-employed safety professionals from several other NATCA-represented bargaining units besides air traffic controllers) who has shown a profound dedication to ensuring the safety of the NAS.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NATCA was unable to present the 16^th (2020) and 17^th (2021) Archie League Medal of Safety Award and the Region X Commitment to Safety Award to those winners at the Union’s Communicating For Safety (CFS) conference the past two years.

Below are the NATCA members being honored, with links to read full stories about the work they did to earn these awards and, in many cases, links to NATCA Podcast episodes where the winners talk first-hand about these events.

ALASKAN REGION

2020 Archie League Medal of Safety Award

Matthew Freidel, Anchorage Center (ZAN)

John Newcomb, Anchorage TRACON (A11)