AAAA Family Forum
By Judy Konitzer: We are so fortunate to have Jodie Francis and Patty Schloesser at the helm of our Aviation community, as they are sincere and genuine supporters of our Aviation Soldiers and their families. Like us, they are disappointed at not being able to gather in Nashville, but they have graciously shared their thoughts and prayers for us… Judy From the Desk of the Aviation Branch 1st Lady, Jodie Francis Greetings from Ft. Rucker! We are all certainly disappointed that the 2021 Summit will not happen this year but thank the AAAA staff for attempting everything humanly possible to...
Learn MoreFuture Vertical Lift Cross-Functional
Team Update / By MG Walter T. Rugen with LTC John Michael McClean: Since my update last year, the Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team (FVL CFT) remains on glideslope with the Aviation Enterprise, Joint Services, and industry partners to deliver transformational maneuver and tempo to our Army’s corps and divisions, and I am excited about the future. Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional The Arcturus JUMP 20 lands at Fort Benning, GA during the FTUAS Rodeo, March 2021. Moving ahead and building on our past, I look forward to the Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE) 21 this May to test out new tactics,...
Learn MoreOur Total Force
Branch Chief’s Corner / By MG David J. Francis: As Army Aviation continues to perform missions at home and worldwide, the depth, resilience, and flexibility across our force is consistently impressive. A California Army National Guard CH-47 helicopter on final approach for one of multiple rescue pick-ups during the Creek Fire near Shaver Lake, CA in early September 2020. / CALIFORNIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO A significant aspect of our enduring successes involves leveraging the integration of all three components (Active, Guard, and Reserve). Crucial to our success is our ability to fuse the necessary resourcing, training, and modernization across...
Learn MoreSupporting Our Total Force
President’s Cockpit / By MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army Retired: As you read this you may already know we have cancelled the 2021 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit scheduled for 21-22 April in Nashville following the Army’s decision that it would not be able to support the Summit based on an Army Health Risk Assessment as well as the current environment. COL (Ret.) Harry Townsend at the 2017 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit. Rest in peace, old Warrior (See page 55)./ AAPI FILE PHOTO Since we depend on the Army for our key speakers and leader attendance, aircraft displays, and...
Learn MoreDeployment Through the Eyes of National Guard Spouses
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: Soldiers from National Guard units have gained national attention as we watched their mobilization to D.C. in January, but what about those who are currently deployed? The 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Kuwait and outposts in Syria in September and won’t return until late spring in support of Operation Inherent Resolve designed to defeat DAESH (ISIS). I acquired a greater and genuine appreciation for the service of their spouses and how they are coping with this separation after interviewing a few of them. Members of Susan Girvin’s church family provided cookies for...
Learn MoreThe Membership Corner
Liaison officers (LNOs) have been stationed at Fort Rucker since 1956. One person who has served as the British LNO is Lieutenant Colonel Claire Curry. Claire and her husband, Colonel Ian Curry, currently live in Wiltshire, England, just over 5 miles from Stonehenge. Lt. Col. Claire and Col. Ian Curry / LTC CURRY PERSONAL PHOTO Claire left Exeter University in 1993, joined the Reserves and took a job working in London. Claire decided that she could work for a Blue-Chip company anytime, but not join the Army later in life, so in 1996 she joined Commissioning Course 962 at the...
Learn MoreLooking Forward, Looking Back
How the Army Addressed the 4th Quarter Class A Aviation Accident Spike / By COL Ronald Ells and LTC Randy James: Last year, we reported that FY19 had the fewest fatalities on record, and while we cannot boast the same for FY20, the Aviation Branch remained tenacious in its approach to Aviation safety. FY20 was the safest year in Army Aviation history in both the total number of Class A mishaps (6) and the Class A mishap rate per 100K flying hours (0.63), a 50% reduction in one year alone. FY16-20 is the safest five-year period in Army Aviation history...
Learn MoreAeromedical Considerations for Common Shoulder Injuries
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ (Dr.) Christopher Grace: Q: I am a CH-47 pilot that has been dealing with worsening right shoulder pain and I think it’s time to get it looked at. What do I need to know about seeking treatment for my shoulder pain? FS: The shoulder joint is comprised of two bones: the upper arm bone (humerus) that forms a round bony prominence that fits into the socket of the shoulder blade (scapula). Surrounding the joint are muscles, their tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the labrum that can all be sources of pain. DVIDS / Sgt....
Learn MoreHover Performance: The “No-Kidding” Requirement
CCDC Avn Tech Talk / Dr. Thomas L. Thompson: The Army’s next generation of rotorcraft will fly significantly faster and farther than our current fleet, but they will continue to perform missions that require them to takeoff/land vertically and hover out-of-ground effect (HOGE) at high altitudes for extended periods of time. CH-47F hovering at high-altitude./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO While the need for increased speed and range will change the look of Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft, the unchanging requirement for HOGE capability will dictate (from an efficiency standpoint) that they remain rotorcraft – aircraft that generate vertical thrust more efficiently...
Learn MoreCluster Operations in the 128th
128th Aviation Brigade / By CPT Trenton Conyers: As 2020 ended, the 128th Aviation Brigade postured itself to conduct Holiday Block Leave for all the trainees and cadre as it does every year. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this mission posed new challenges to leaders within the Brigade. The commander’s goal from the beginning was to maximize Soldier participation in this leave period and to do so as safely as possible, utilizing a series of COVID-19 mitigation strategies at every juncture. The most critical strategy in this was the creation of student “clusters” upon return from Holiday Block Leave which would help...
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