ASU Founder and CEO recognized by APSA

The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) has recognized Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) Founder and CEO Mike Atwood at its annual APSCON convention in Orlando.

He was given the Public Safety Award – sponsored by MD Helicopters – which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding and continuing dedication to airborne law enforcement safety.

“It was nice to be recognized with this award, but the real heroes are the men and women that use night vision goggles (NVGs) 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.”

Atwood spent his 43-year career in the night vision industry with the US Army, Idaho National Guard, Idaho National Laboratory and ASU. During this time, he accumulated nearly 2,000 hours flying under NVGs, starting with the first goggles ever approved for night flight – the AN/PVS-5 Cut-Away. He later advanced to the AN/AVS-6 Aviators Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) and AN/AVS-7 ANVIS Heads-Up Display.

Atwood also served as an instructor pilot for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. Following his active Army service, he joined the Idaho National Guard as a pilot. He retired in 2000 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.

He founded ASU in 1995 with the goal of clearing NVGs for use in civilian emergency medical services operations. Atwood and his team’s effort resulted in the Federal Aviation Administration authorizing NVGs for emergency medical service (EMS) personnel use in 1999. Since then, equipment and training provided by ASU has benefitted citizens around the world.

“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,” concluded Atwood.