A Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Norfolk Sailor was named the 2017 Aviation Ordnance Instructor of the Year, June 26.

Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) 1st Class Harris Hall, CNATTU Norfolk's lead aviation ordnance instructor, was selected from a field of candidates from throughout the Navy by the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Office (PMA-242), an accomplishment Hall said is indicative of the Sailors with whom he works each day.

"There are so many instructors here who are all dedicated to making sure we're training the best AOs for the fleet," said Hall. "I'm proud of being selected among so many AOs from around the Navy, but CNATTU Norfolk is truly a team, and this individual accomplishment is the result of the entire CNATTU Norfolk staff."

Hall delivered nearly 1,800 hours of instruction in the Air Launched Guided Missiles Intermediate Maintenance Course, Quickstrike Mines Intermediate Maintenance Course, and the Precision Guided Weapons Intermediate Maintenance Course.

He also personally trained and qualified four new aviation ordnanceman instructors and chaired six of CNATTU Norfolk's master training specialist (MTS) boards.

Hall also served as the course curriculum model manager for the Air Launched Weapons Ordnance Supervisor Course, and completed the largest force revision of the course material in two decades. This resulted in him being selected to develop a video training aid for inclusion in a Navy online training course which will be viewed annually by more than 7,000 Sailors throughout the Navy.

CNATTU Norfolk's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Charles Ardinger said Hall's dedication to the command is evident in the results he has achieved.

"Petty Officer Hall is undoubtedly the most motivated and skilled aviation ordnanceman I have ever observed in my 32 years," Ardinger said. "He is a leader with razor sharp foresight, unparalleled dedication to training and mentorship, and strives to ensure mission success through the thousands of Sailors he trains and mentors. I couldn't be more proud to have him on the CNATTU Norfolk team and of his selection as the Aviation Ordnance Instructor of the Year."

CNATTU Norfolk delivers specialized aviation technical training to maintain and operate air weapons systems supporting MH-53E/MH-60S Helicopters, E-2C Airborne Early Warning Aircraft, and C-2A(R) Carrier Onboard Delivery Aircraft, as well as coursework for the airborne mine counter measure (AMCM), undersea warfare, aviation maintenance administration management, aviation boatswain's mate (AB), aviation ordnanceman (AO), interior communications electrician (IC), and aviantion survival equipmentman (PR) fields.

CNATTU Norfolk is a training unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, which is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost under Naval Education and Training Command.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, visit www.navy.mil/.