NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Heaven’s archangel Michael may have some earthly competition in Navy Capt. Paul Overstreet.

Overstreet, who works as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Weapons System program manager, was named in December as an Honorary Knight of the Order of St. Michael by the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA).

Overstreet received the award for his efforts while serving as the program manager for the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems (ATAPS) Program Office (PMA-272) here, from October 2008 to June 2012 and is one of 90 people who have received the award since its 2010 inception.

“The Order of Saint Michael recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of Army Aviation in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers,” according to the association. “Overstreet demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence and served the United States Army Aviation community with distinction. He exemplified the same qualities as St. Michael and is recognized as champion for his long-term and unwavering support of Army Aviation.”

Overstreet said he was humbled and surprised by the award.

“It is an honor to receive this recognition from the U.S. Army Aviation community,” Overstreet said. “Throughout my tour with PMA-272, I diligently worked to foster a close relationship with both the Air Force and Army, whose helicopter communities experienced similar combat survivability challenges as the Navy and Marine Corps.”

Army Aviation organizers said Overstreet’s military exploits are akin to heaven’s famed avenger St. Michael, the award’s namesake.
While serving as the ATAPS program manager and working in concert with the Army Program Management Office for Aircraft Survivability Equipment (PM ASE), organizers said Overstreet brought new and enhanced aircraft self-protection equipment and technology to the warfighter to protect the lives of aviators, soldiers, airmen, Sailors and Marines during contingency operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Africa.

“In both Iraq and Afghanistan, all service platforms were sometimes required to augment each other’s missions,” Overstreet said. “Both my Army and Air Force counterparts were committed to fielding the best survivability equipment and tactics fast as possible. This was done, so that regardless of what service they were in, our warfighters got the best possible survivability equipment available. Much work needs to be done still, but the data clearly shows our efforts have paid off in greatly increasing the survivability of our platforms engaged in combat operations.”

Beyond a salute from the Army community, Overstreet also received a “bravo zulu” from naval aviation leadership.

“Captain Overstreet understood the importance of fostering a safe environment for all service members and led a team that worked tirelessly to accomplish that,” said Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis, program executive officer for the Navy’s Tactical Aircraft, which oversees PMA-272. “Being presented with the Order of Saint Michael Award is an honor, but knowing he helped bring service members home safely is the real reward.”