Originally, aviators could compete for the trophy annually under rules made each year or the War Department could award the trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year.

The leadership of this exercise earned Foulois the Mackey Trophy for the most meritorious military flight of 1931.

Aircrews earned the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year, and the Tunner Award.

Mackay Trophy: Established in 1912, is awarded annually for the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons, or organization.

It is awarded annually to a living woman for an outstanding and enduring contribution, a meritorious flight, or a singular technical development in the field of aviation, aeronautics, space or related sciences.

The crew was subsequently awarded the Mackay Trophy for the "most meritorious flight of the year".

Mackay Trophy (most meritorious flight of the year)

The Air Corps awarded them the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year.

It earned the 1996 Mackay Trophy for the 33-hour long mission from Louisiana to Iraq and back as the most meritorious flight of the year.

The mission earned the wing the prestigious 1996 Mackay Trophy as the most meritorious flight of the year.