During a cross-country flight from Hurlburt Field, Florida, to Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Airman First Class (A1C) Miccio’s actions were instrumental in averting a potentially catastrophic incident. On a routine training mission, the MC-130J crew, callsign BLOKE 17, experienced a sudden and rapid loss of utility hydraulic system pressure. Despite being the sole loadmaster on board and only a recent graduate of initial qualification training, A1C Miccio responded immediately and decisively. He initiated emergency procedures to isolate the system, quickly identifying a hydraulic fluid leak from the #2 engine that threatened to significantly degrade flight control authority while the aircraft was at 23,000 feet.

When the crew determined that the leak could not be isolated and that critical systems, including landing gear, flaps, and brakes, were compromised, A1C Miccio’s technical expertise and calm under pressure became vital. The crew then declared an in-flight emergency to air traffic control, and he prepared the aircraft for an emergency diversion to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Demonstrating exceptional knowledge and initiative, he quickly executed a free-fall extension of the landing gear. When the right main gear failed to extend fully, he swiftly employed the emergency hand crank, ensuring the gear was locked in a safe landing configuration and preventing further risk to the aircraft and crew.

A1C Miccio then briefed the crew on all relevant emergency procedures and took the additional step of securing the main landing gear with 10,000-pound-rated chains—a complex task that even the most experienced loadmasters have rarely performed outside of a training scenario. Thanks to his thoroughness and composure, the crew safely landed the aircraft using no-flap and emergency braking procedures.

The decisive actions of A1C Miccio, one of the wing’s newest loadmasters, directly contributed to the safe recovery of BLOKE 17, safeguarding the lives of four crew members and preventing the loss of an aircraft worth $117 million. His performance on this mission stands as a testament to his ability to operate under pressure and is deserving of recognition by award of the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award.

1974/75  G W Crawford Esq

1976 - 1978  not awarded

1978/79  Captain F H Benton

1980 - 1981  not awarded

1981/82  Captain E H J Moody

1983 - 1986  not awarded

1986/87  Captain Peter Saxton

1987/88 Captain Shornsteimer

1988/89  Captain Dave Cronin

1989/90  FO A Atchinson Purser J Heward Stewardess S Prince Steward N Ogden Steward S Rodgers

1990/91  Captain Alfred L Haynes

1992  not awarded

1992/93  Captain I Berglund FO M Emery Flt. Engineer T N Boone

1994  not awarded

1994/95  Flt Lt A J Stacey AFC RAF

1995/96  Crew of G-TIGK - Captain C J Roberts Senior First Oficer L J Sole

1996/97  Captain Leul Abate

1998  not awarded

1998/99  Flt Lt Geoffrey Sheppard AFC and Flt Lt Ian Brosch MA BSc

2000  not awarded

2000/01  Captain Bill Hagan and SFO Philip Watson

2002  not awarded

2002/03  Lt Cdr Neale Hargreaves MBE - Mission Commander of Dolphin 43

2003/04  Captain Eric Gennotte, FO Steeve Michielsen, FE Mario Rofail

2004/05  Captain Mark William Hoey

2005/06  Thierry Fautrel & Marie-Pascale Bulle of Air France AF 358 at Toronto Airport

2006/07  Kevin (George) Francis

2008  not awarded

2008/09 Ultimate 21 Flight in Afghanistan

2009/10  Flt Lt Alex Townsend RAF

2010/11  Crew of Flight QF 032 (AIRBUS 380 VH-OQA)

2011/12  Flt Lt N McCready BEng RAF and Flt Lt L D Flemington DFC MSc BAv RAF

2012/13  Lt Bryan Peterson USN

2013/14  Captain Malcolm Waters and First Officer David Hayhoe

2014/15  "Ugly 52" - Maj Nicholas George English AAC and Capt Charles William Russell AAC

2016  Captain Richard Alvarez

2017  Flt Lt Karl A Kinsler RAF

2018  Flt Lt Ben Wallis AFC RAF

2019  not awarded

2020 Flt Lt Paul Medford RAF

2021  Crew of TALON 42

2022  Crew of Air Astana Embraer 190

2023  David Barrell

2024  Flight Lieutenant Benjamin Davey RAF