USASOAC Culture – A Decade in the Making
USASOAC Command Chief Warrant Officer / By CW5 David F. Greenwood: The U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) turns 10 this year. Many may simply view USASOAC as the higher headquarters of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR [ABN]). However, as the Title 10 headquarters, USASOAC plays a supporting role to the Regiment’s commander. A 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) MH-6 Little Bird helicopter delivers Soldiers into an urban environment under the coverof night. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY JEFF RANKHORN, TNG. DEVELOPMENT & SPT. CELL In recognition of this anniversary, the USASOAC commander directed a...
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This Is Your Army! / By LTG Fran Beaudette and CSM Marc Eckard: In a year marked by uncertainty and adversity, Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) adapted and persevered in unprecedented ways to fulfill our unwavering obligation to defend the Nation. Army Special Operations Aviation meets the needs of the operator on the ground. / ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF USASOAC PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE Army Special Operations Forces provide more than 53 percent of the Nation’s Special Operations Forces and consistently fill over 64 percent of all United States SOF deployments worldwide. We deploy for purpose to strengthen partners and allies,...
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Branch Chief’s Corner / By MG David J. Francis: In the 40 years since Desert One and Operation Eagle claw, U.S. Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) has led Army Aviation in the development of capabilities and tactics, techniques and procedures that are used throughout the Aviation Branch today. In the 40 years since Desert One and Operation Eagle claw, U.S. Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) has led Army Aviation in the development of capabilities and tactics, techniques and procedures that are used throughout the Aviation Branch today. / U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. CARLOS JIMENEZ ARSOA’s OPTEMPO remains high, with every...
Learn MoreFocusing on Local Chapters to Reenergize Our Membership
President’s Cockpit / By MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired: Let me start by saying that I am honored to serve as your 35th AAAA President. As your new President, I first want to thank MG (Ret.) Jeff Schloesser for his outstanding leadership these last two very, very tough years. Jeff has left us an Association in great shape from membership to finances to organization despite the complications and stress of COVID. Aviators love BBQ. There was a large group attending the Bell V280 demonstration on April 21, 2021 in Arlington, VA. Somehow this crew all ended up at the...
Learn More2020 Army Aviation Photography Contest Winners
ARMY AVIATION Magazine is proud to present the winners of our annual photography contest. 33 qualified AAAA members, submitting 93 Army Aviation related photographs taken during CY 2019, competed for the top 12 places. We congratulate the winners and thank all of the contestants for their efforts and service. We invite all AAAA members to participate in our 2020 contest. Visit the AAAA website, quad-a.org for details and submission requirements. Bill Harris, Publisher First Place – “Office View” by MAJ Robert FellinghamAnsbach, GermanyMay 4, 2020; Bavarian Alps (Left to Right) CPT Derek Houser, CPT Nicholas Brischler, and SGT Kevin Pagan...
Learn MoreArmy Reserve Aviation in the Total Force
Reserve Components Aviation / By COL Andrew Cecil: The U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) represents a small but unique capacity within the Total Force’s Aviation structure. Both Active Component (AC) and Army National Guard (ARNG) Aviation center on their associated divisions. An Air Force Special Operations Force operator pulls security as a UH-60 from 8-229 Assault Helicopter Battalion lands for the exfiltration after forces seized their objective. / U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY TSGT SANDRA WELCH The USAR represents a distinctive wedge providing opportunity to the Army for the current and future force. As the Army considers options to address the...
Learn MoreAviation Branch CSM Update
By CSM James D. Wilson: The first 90 days in position have passed quickly. The more I learn, the more amazed I am by what Aviation Soldiers are doing every day to meet demanding mission requirements across the Branch and around the world. The dedication to mission success and taking care of our Soldiers and their families is apparent in every engagement I have with the Soldiers of our Branch. SPC Lloyd Mayes with D Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, conducts the disassembly of an AH-64E tail rotor gearbox during a 500-hour phase inspection. SPC Lloyd Mayes...
Learn MoreOur Army Today Is About People First
Your Army! / By GEN James C. McConville: The past year, our Nation and our Army faced some of the biggest challenges in recent history. Nearly a year after the COVID pandemic shut down America; we still battle that invisible enemy. Army Chief of Staff, GEN James C. McConville, addresses a rifle squad from 2-506th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Rakkasans, 101st Airborne Division, at Bell’s Arlington, TX facility on October 28, 2020. The soldiers provided invaluable feedback on the V-280 Valor cabin configuration that will inform Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft requirements from the user perspective./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MR....
Learn MorePreparing the Branch to Execute LSCO Across All Domains
Army Aviation Branch Chief’s Corner / By MG David J. Francis: I would like to start this issue with a huge “thank you” to MG (Ret.) Jeff Schloesser for his steadfast leadership of AAAA over the course of a world-wide pandemic! He and the AAAA team left no stone unturned mitigating the threat of COVID 19 at AAAA events. U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MAJ ROBERT FELLINGHAM While the Summit did not come to fruition this year, they demonstrated the gold standard of innovation and leadership that will undoubtedly result in future successful events for all stakeholders. I would also like...
Learn MorePassing the Gavel
President’s Cockpit / MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army Retired: This is likely the best Army Aviation Magazine since I took over as AAAA President back in April of 2019. Outgoing AAAA president MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army Retired welcomes incoming President MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired. We all hoped this would also be our AAAA 2021 Mission Summit magazine this year, but as you know by now, we had to cancel the Summit due to COVID-based travel restrictions. With vaccines becoming more and more available and the infection rate declining in many states, I am hopeful this will be...
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