The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) recognised Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) founder and CEO Mike Atwood at its annual APSCON convention in Orlando this week (17-22 July 2023) with the Public Safety Award sponsored by MD Helicopters. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding and continuing dedication to airborne law enforcement safety. This dedication can be measured by documented achievements in the areas of, but not limited to, management, safety, education and maintenance that significantly improved the safety of an airborne law enforcement unit or the airborne law enforcement industry.
“It was nice to be recognised with this award, but the real heroes are the men and women that use Night Vision Goggles daily to help serve and protect every community in our nation,” said Atwood. “Seeing so many long-term customers, friends, and industry leaders was great. I also want to thank all the men and women at ASU that share my passion for safety. NVGs are a vital part of the safety and security of nighttime operations. Every week, you can find ASU employees worldwide helping law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, air ambulance operations, search and rescue missions, and other local, state, federal and national operators learn to use NVGs. I received this award, but truly this award belongs with everyone at ASU that has championed the message of using NVGs.”
ASU has put more than 5,000 NVGs into EMS operations worldwide and modified aircraft lighting in nearly 1,500 individual aircraft. Additionally, the company has subsequently provided training to more than 6,000 pilots and crewmembers.