Modernizing Electrical Power Systems in Army Aviation
To equip the Army of 2030 and provide Soldiers with the very best capabilities for Combat Aviation Brigades, Army Aviation is executing a once in a generation modernization strategy. Investments span from targeted modernization of the enduring fleet to designing new Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft. These changes require improvements to Electrical Power Systems (EPS) of the Army’s aircraft. The Aviation Turbine Engines (ATE) Project Office oversees power systems for the Army’s enduring and future fleet of aircraft. ATE is responsible for EPS modernization initiatives to ensure both enduring and future platforms are postured for supporting Multi-Domain Operations. The Project...
Learn MoreWisconsin National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment supports airshow ‘dress rehearsal’ event at Fort McCoy, Part II
UH-60 Black Hawks and crews with the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment participate in an airshow dress rehearsal event July 27, 2023, at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. Multiple units with Wisconsin’s Army National Guard and Air National Guard combined July 27 to hold a practice session of their airshow event at the airport at Fort McCoy. The event, which was a practice for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wis., included Soldiers and Airmen and included field artillery, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, an F-35A Lightning II, and a KC-135R Stratotanker. Fort...
Learn More12CAB Hellfire Missile Shoot at Greek Karavia Range Complex
U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Battalion), 12th Combat Aviation Brigade fired 15 Air-to-Ground Missile (AGM) 114R Hellfire II’s at Karavia Range Complex, Greece, May 12, 2023. Five AH-64D and AH-64A Apache helicopters from the Hellenic Armed Forces participated in the live fire exercise, demonstrating the ability to mass precision fires as part of a multinational team. The live fire exercise was an opportunity to enhance readiness across the force and further build interoperability with host nation partners. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America’s Forward Deployed...
Learn MoreRolling Up Our Sleeves
In my first ‘official’ duty as your President, what a privilege and honor to represent our Association by attending the recent Army Special Operations Aviation Command change of command at Fort Liberty and inducting BG Phil Ryan into the Gold Honorable Order of Saint Michael (OSM) as part of his pre-change of command awards ceremony. The Gold OSM is the pinnacle of the AAAA recognition pillar, and BG Ryan’s incredible service and contributions to the Army and Army Aviation exemplify the spirit of this significant AAAA program. That being said, what a productive few days the National Executive Group (NEG)...
Learn MoreCan-Am Festival Strengthens Ties Between Allies
Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division participated in the Can-Am Festival on July 15 in Sackets Harbor, New York. The Can-Am Festival, which started in 1971, celebrates the national friendship between Canada and the United States. The festival, which is celebrating its 51st anniversary, features music, a farmers’ market, children’s activities and more. The 10th Mountain Division Marching Band marched in the parade in Sackets Harbor, performing for the crowd of attendees. In addition, Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade and the 10th Mountain Division Combat Aviation Brigade provided static displays for the festival and interacted with members...
Learn MoreU.S. Army Unit Conducts Rescue Near Columbia River
Soldiers assigned to the United States Army Air Ambulance Detachment- Yakima (USAAAD), 2-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade performed an aeromedical evacuation of a civilian in Klickitat County, Wash. on Jul. 19, 2023. The mission started when a paraglider was injured and sent a distress message to the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office. After determining that ground rescue would not be possible over the terrain the patient was located at, federal support was requested through the Washington State Emergency Operations Center for a high-powered helicopter with hoist capability to recover the injured civilian. At 4:40 p.m., a USAAAD UH-60L...
Learn MoreCivilian Flight Instructor Retires After 54 Years of Combined Federal Service
After more than 54 years of combined federal service, Rodney L. “Sande” Sangsland made his final landing in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Fort Novosel’s Lowe Army Heliport June 20, 2023. He previously retired from active duty as a chief warrant officer five after more than 33 years of service, and then served as a Department of the Army civilian helicopter flight instructor at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence for more than 20 years. He has spent the past 11 years training rated aviators to transition to the M model UH-60 Black Hawk. In Army Aviation, he...
Learn MoreApache Helicopter on Track for Major Upgrades
The U.S. Army’s AH-64 Apache helicopter is and will remain the Army’s Attack helicopter for the foreseeable future. The Apache Project Office (Apache PO) has steadily upgraded the Apache since it was first fielded in the 1980’s. The upgrades have produced the world’s premier attack helicopter which is used by the U.S. Army and more than 16 allies around the globe. The AH-64E Version 6.5 (V6.5), is the next version of the Apache Helicopter. It will include an upgraded software program to increase its survivability on the modern battlefield. Aligning with the Program Executive Office, Aviation common configuration strategy, V6.5...
Learn MoreTaking the Controls!
What an honor to be your new AAAA President! Serving in AAAA, our professional organization, always seemed like a tremendous opportunity to ‘give back’. Mr. Bill Harris previously appealed to me to contribute by serving as the Chairman of the AAAA Awards Board for several years prior to being elected to the National Executive Group, so I had strong insights to what AAAA was all about for sure. The Awards Board used to meet in person in Washington, DC (Arlington Hall, at the National Guard facility), twice a year to vote the Scholarship applicant files each summer, then coming back...
Learn MoreWisconsin National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crews hold May 2023 training at Fort McCoy
Aircrews with the Wisconsin National Guard at Madison operated several UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters May 4-5 at Fort McCoy, Wis., as part of annual training at the post. Members of the unit regularly complete training operations at Fort McCoy and the unit also supports numerous training events at the installation each year. According to the Fort McCoy Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, Black Hawk crews were supporting aerial gunnery training on May 4 and on May 5 they were supporting a medical training exercise on post. Weather conditions on both days of training were ideal to have flight...
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