Bald Mountain Air Service, owned by lifelong Alaskans Gary and Jeanne Porter of Homer, has earned the Medallion Shield, the highest safety award by the Medallion Foundation. 

The award consists of five safety stars awarded by the foundation, whose mission is to reduce aviation accidents “by fostering a proactive safety culture and promoting higher safety standards through one-on-one mentoring, research, education, training, auditing and advocacy,” according to its website. 

“The stars are for controlled flight into terrain avoidance, an internal audit program, a proactive safety culture, as well as for a ground and maintenance service program. Implementing the Medallion standards for safety in all of these areas has ensured a detailed control mechanism in how to evaluate the company’s commitment to safety. Medallion has helped Bald Mountain Air Service tremendously to become a better business; it has given employees and management ownership in their safety program and its continuous improvement,” according to a press release from the company.

Bald Mountain operates full time, year around with facilities in Homer, Anchorage and Deadhorse. The company, which has been in business since 1993, specializes in complex aviation solutions for natural resource exploration, marine mammal surveys, aerial photography, firefighting support, bulk fuel delivery, wildlife viewing and off-airport, all-season arctic operations.

The Medallion Shield for safety officially will be awarded in the fall at the Alaska Air Carriers Association’s Aviation Legends Banquet in Anchorage.