Training and Validation – Expanding Competitive Space
Special Operations Aviation / By MAJ Mike Kinsel: With the reduction of troop numbers and combat operations in the Counter Terrorism/Violent Extremism (CT/VEO) campaign, the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) seeks to maintain lethality and flexibility by placing greater emphasis on stateside training to address Great Power Competition (GPC). Specifically, the focus has evolved to address those concerns that deal with a peer or near-peer adversary. Achieving multi-domain dominance across the future competition spectrum is not guaranteed and requires a deeper look and more focused efforts. Flying every hour with purpose, the ARSOA enterprise is leaning forward on tomorrow’s...
Learn MorePregnancy in Aviation
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ (Dr.) Douglas R. Hogoboom and Dr. Michael T. Acromite: Q: Hey doc, I am considering becoming pregnant. How would pregnancy affect my flight status? Photo: Army.mil FS: First of all, thank you for a very important question. Many pregnant women have safely flown during pregnancy, but there are risks that must be considered. The aviation environment presents various exposure risks (noise, vibration, temperature changes, decreased oxygen, G-forces, toxic gases, etc.). These environmental changes are known to affect the mother and baby, but the extent of adverse effects remain uncertain. This uncertainty stems from research...
Learn MoreUSASOAC 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...
Learn MoreUnited States Army Special Operations Command Army SOF Update
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,...
Learn MoreArmy Special Operations Aviation and LSCO
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 Aviation Excels in Spite of Pandemic
Leadership Update / By BG Michael C. “Mac” McCurry: Wow! Two years certainly flies by (no pun intended), especially when pushing through contingency deployments, global re-posture, an election/confirmation cycle, and… a global pandemic! When I took the seat as Director of Army Aviation in the Pentagon in June of 2019, I could never have seen this coming. It has been a hard and challenging time for our nation and our Army, but our great aviation leaders, pilots, and maintainers out there persevered and kept Army Aviation at the forefront. I will highlight the unprecedented actions of the team below. Crew members...
Learn MoreLyme Disease
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ (Dr.) Sarah B. Snyder: Q: I enjoy recreational hiking and camping outdoors during the spring and summer months but recently heard about a tick-borne illness called Lyme disease. What is Lyme disease and what are the common signs and symptoms to watch out for after spending time outdoors? FS: Lyme disease is a bacterial infection of the blood, or bacteremia, transmitted to humans by the bite of a deer tick called Ixodes scapularis. It is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the mobile, corkscrewed bacteria Borrelia...
Learn MoreAircraft Survivability Equipment Qualification Criteria
Tech Talk / By Mr. Corbin Stillwell: The Army Military Airworthiness Certification Criteria (AMACC) developed by the U.S. Army Development Command Aviation& Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) is the guiding document for Airworthiness (AW) Qualification for Army aviation. A California Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Company B, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, fires countermeasures while flying over Jalalabad, Afghanistan, May 20, 2016. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG IAN M. KUMMER, 40TH CBT. AVN. BDE. PUBLIC AFFAIRS Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE), though considered non-flight-critical, is covered in the AMACC. The AMACC defines the purpose of ASE...
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