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1996

Maj. Erik A. Hutchins
56th Fighter Wing, 63rd Fighter Squadron,
Luke AFB, Arizona

Hutchins successfully landed his disabled F- 16 from the backseat after an engine oil system failure that filled the cockpit with smoke. Hutchins was on a low-altitude intercept training mission at the time of the incident and diverted to an air field in Gila Bend, Arizona, for the landing.

"Joe Bill Dryden would have been extremely proud to see all the nominations submitted from around the world for this coveted award that bears his name," said Tim Roels, the director of Lockheed Martin's F-16 support team and presenter of the award. "I want to thank all the units that responded. Our committee had a difficult time selecting this year's winner. We think it is a real privilege to honor Maj. Hutchins in Joe Bill's name."

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