ALCOAST 055/26 - FEB 2026 2025 AVIATION OPERATIONS OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 112011Z FEB 26 MID320018533880U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 055/26
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2025 AVIATION OPERATIONS OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 232030Z OCT 25/ALCOAST 439/25
1. COMDT (CG-7) is honored to announce the recipient of the first
ever Aviation Operations Officer of the Year Award in accordance
with REF (A). Sponsored by the Coast Guard Aviation Association,
this award recognizes an Operations Officer who has demonstrated
outstanding achievement and leadership within the Coast Guard
Operations community.
2. The 2025 Aviation Operations Officer of the Year is presented to
Commander Kyle Cuttie. As Operations Officer and Chief Pilot at
Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, CDR Cuttie distinguished himself
through exceptional operational leadership, strategic innovation,
and an unwavering commitment to personnel, readiness, and mission
execution. His exemplary performance during a year marked by
historic hurricanes, heightened national security demands, aviation
resource constraints, and complex interagency operations set the
standard for Coast Guard leadership. Under his guidance, his team
delivered 2,400 flight hours, supported 91 SAR cases, saved or
assisted 23 lives, and implemented scalable solutions that enhanced
aviation, personnel, and operational systems across the Coast Guard
enterprise.
3. CDR Cuttie led the unit through complex responses to Hurricanes
DEBBY, HELENE, and MILTON. Assuming tactical control of nine
transient aircraft with hybrid crews, he managed risk and assigned
critical CISAR tasking, personally commanding the sole Coast Guard
aircraft to respond to historic flooding in Western North Carolina
and saving nine lives. His strategic deployment of aviation assets
enabled 88 hours of port reconstitution overflights across two
Captain of the Port zones, facilitating the restoration of
$291 billion in maritime infrastructure. Following Hurricane
HELENE, CDR Cuttie coordinated a complex inland MEDEVAC of a
wounded Department of War (DoW) service member, executing a night
flight under degraded infrastructure conditions, saving a life and
strengthening joint DoW partnerships. His crisis leadership ensured
safe and effective operations during sustained natural disasters
and interagency support requests.
4. CDR Cuttie oversaw 34 aircrew and pilot upgrades, tailored 595
training sorties, and executed 62 annual check rides during a
fleet-wide reduction in flight hours. He adapted the flight
schedule using data analytics and project management frameworks,
prioritizing crew proficiency, fatigue management, and surge
operations. His strategic innovations reduced qualification
timelines by 50%, and his caregiver leave template, pilot training
plans, and career counseling program directly supported wellness,
safety, and retention.
5. CDR Cuttie's influence extended beyond the air station through
impactful partnerships. He planned and executed seven major joint
exercises, integrated 87-foot WPBs, auxiliary air assets, and other
government agency facilities into recurring SAR training, and
supported 213 AUX flight hours across three states. His coordination
with NOAA, Kings Bay SUBBASE, and Coast Guard Recruiting Command
strengthened national defense, weather forecasting, and talent
acquisition. Notably, he led Air Station participation in
Operation Hammerhead, a joint law enforcement surge with CBP and
state agencies resulting in 47 boardings and numerous citations.
His leadership in public affairs included 31 community engagements,
a media campaign reaching 800,000 people, and direct outreach to
35,000 individuals, reinforcing the Coast Guard brand across the
Southeast.
6. I extend my personal congratulations to the award winner.
Through your actions, you have demonstrated the highest levels of
courage and professionalism. Your efforts uphold the finest
traditions of our service.
7. RDML Amy B. Grable, Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7),
sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.