The Army Aviation Badge
Command Sergeant Major / By MSG Daniel Baeza: During World War II, the Army Air Forces began issuing its Aircrew Badge to Soldiers who conducted in-flight operations as crewmembers-gunners, bombardiers, navigators, etc.—or were on flying status. Even after 1947, when the Air Force splintered off from the Army and became its own service, the Army continued to issue the old Army Air Forces Aircrew Badge. Aircrew Badge, World War II Army Air Forces design On May 16th, 1962, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations approved a design change to the wings. The badge was renamed the “Aircraft Crewmember...
Learn MoreBack in the Saddle
Director of Army Aviation / By BG Michael C. McCurry II: Greetings from the Pentagon. As I arrived back in the building in June, things seemed much the same as in my previous Pentagon tours, but new challenges await around the corner. Army paratroopers exit from a CH-47 Chinook at Pocek Range in Postojna, Slovenia, March 25, 2019, during Eagle Sokol, a bilateral exercise with the Slovenian Armed Forces./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO I look forward to working closely with our new Branch Chief, MG Dave Francis, as the DAMO-AV team supports his vision for Army Aviation and synchronizes aviation actions...
Learn MoreKeeping Up With Army Aviation Branch Leaders
MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army Retired: The annual Blue Book Issue has always been my favorite edition of Army Aviation Magazine. Then-Army Vice Chief of Staff, GEN James C. McConville, keynotes the second day of the annual Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Nashville, TN, April 16, 2019./ AAPI PHOTO BY RENE BIDEZ My career sometimes took me away from Army Aviation units, which I always felt was the life blood of our branch, and so the pictures and contact information helped me plug back into our branch and to seek out old friends and renew communications with them. Later,...
Learn MoreThe Military Does Take Care of Us!
Family Forum / By Gabriela Lopez, With Edits by Judy Konitzer: My husband, Chris, and I met in 2001 while attending Oxnard college in California. He had transitioned from active duty to California National Guard. Author Gabriela Lopez with her spouse, CPT Laurencio C. Lopez, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, who received the 2018 Army Aviation Medicine Award sponsored by Gentex Corporation during the AAAA Functional Awards dinner on January 30, 2019 at Ft. Rucker, AL. / AAPI PHOTO BY RENÉ BIDEZ When he finished college, he announced he was returning to active duty and in...
Learn MoreCommon Challenges and Means to Mitigate Them
Simulation & Training / By LTC Eric Megerdoomian and numerous DES SME: The Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization (DES) is afforded a unique perspective of our branch. Through assistance and assessments of our aviation units, we are exposed to units who struggle with similar challenges and are witness to creative means to overcome them. RCMLeaders of Rated Crew Members (RCMs) allow improper procedures to manifest due to mission requirements. This creates a culture that accepts deviations from the standard dictated by our regulations. It is common to find organizations disregarding AR 95-1, TC 3-04.11 and their own unit Standard Operating...
Learn MorePlantar Fasciitis
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Frank Stafford, D.O: Q: The bottom of my feet, especially my heels, have really been hurting. The pain is the worst when I first get up in the morning. It can get so bad that it makes it difficult to walk or stand for a long time let alone go for a run. I read on the internet that this could be plantar fasciitis. What is that? FS: Plantar fasciitis is when the fascia, a thick, wide band of tissue that runs from the base of your toes to your heel, becomes inflamed...
Learn MoreSynthetic Aviation Maintenance Training Environment
Reserve / By COL Andrew D. Cecil: Army Aviation has the opportunity to advance Aviation maintenance training into the synthetic training environment. Aviation equipment and systems have advanced from the analog to the digital over the past two decades (UH-60A/L to UH-60M; CH-47D to CH-47F; AH-64A to AH-64D/E). The training for helicopter maintenance personnel has not changed commensurate to this change in complexity. We can and should now correct that deficiency. Aviation maintenance training in Army units is essentially an apprenticeship program requiring close supervision, limited learner autonomy and restricted initiative. These controls represent necessary restrictions on the apprentice due...
Learn MoreThe Next Step in Simulation
CWOB / By CW5 Jonathon P. Koziol: First, I am honored to be selected as the next Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch. I understand the importance of the position and my responsibilities to represent our aviation warrant officers, but more importantly, the aviation branch. Army Aviators assigned to B/1-214th Aviation conduct annual CH-47 Flight Simulator training at the flight simulator in Illesheim, Germany./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY GEORGIOS MOUMOULIDIS I will continue to work hard on initiatives that will better manage and benefit our aviation warrant officers. I will embrace the opportunity I have been given and work...
Learn MoreSimulations to Enhance Aviation Training Capabilities
Branch Chief Update / By By MG David J. Francis: It is an honor for Jodie and me to sign on as your 17th Chief of the Aviation Branch. Our sincere gratitude to MG Bill and Michelle Gayler for their steadfast leadership of the branch over the last three years. MG Gayler set us on a path to maintain Aviation as an asymmetric advantage for our nation, and to develop and field leap-ahead capability in the future. COL John Ferrell (center) briefs (left to right) Mr. Tim Bishop, Deputy PEO STRI; MG Maria Gervais, STE CFT Director; and MG William...
Learn MoreNavigating the Winds of Change
President’s Cockpit / By MG Jeff Schloesser, U.S. Army, Retired: Summer is often a time of change in our Army, as families move and Soldiers report to new positions and new duty stations. Our Army Aviation leadership is no exception. AAAA National President, MG (Ret.) Jeff Schloesser talks with incoming commanding general of U.S. Army North/5th United States Army, LTG Laura Richardson, while at the 2019 Summit in Nashville, TN. / AAPI PHOTO BY RENÉ BIDEZ MG Dave Francis assumed command of the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker on 17 June. Dave is no stranger to Fort...
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