Apache Helicopter on Track for Major Upgrades
REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL, UNITED STATES 07.13.2023 Story by Belinda Bazinet Program Executive Office, Aviation 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...
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
FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES 05.31.2023 Courtesy Story Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office 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...
Learn MoreNATO Implements Exercise Dacian Strike 2023
SMARDAN, ROMANIA 06.22.2023 Story by Troy Darr U.S. Army NATO Brigade Executing precise live-fire missions combining air, land and intelligence support forces from five NATO countries was the goal of Dacian Strike held near where the Danube River spills into the Black Sea on NATO’s southeastern flank. The Headquarters of NATO Multinational Division-Southeast conducted the exercise at the Smardan Secondary Combat Training Center June 12-16. The exercise included forces from Bulgaria, France, Italy, Romania, and the United States. “What we’re trying to create here at MND-Southeast is tactical air C2 (command and control) in a land echelon below the corps...
Learn MoreU.S. Army Unit Conducts Rescue on Mount Adams
Soldiers assigned to the United States Army Air Ambulance Detachment- Yakima (USAAAD), 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade performed an aeromedical evacuation of a civilian on Mount Adams, Wash. on Jun. 14, 2023. The mission started when a climber was injured, and her partner sent a distress message to the Yakima 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 stranded civilian. At 8:53 p.m., a...
Learn MoreUSAAAD-YTC Conducts Life-Saving Rescue at Aasgard Pass
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 near Aasgard Pass, Wash. on Jun 8, 2023. The mission started when a hiker fell 150 feet and sent a distress message to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. After determining that ground rescue would take over four hours and may 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 stranded...
Learn MoreThe 185th ECAB deploys to the US CENTCOM area of responsibility
CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT 05.10.2023 Story by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Hamann 185th Aviation Brigade The 185th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered in the Mississippi Army National Guard, mobilized in February at Fort Cavasos, Texas (formerly Fort Hood, Texas) to support Operations Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield, and New Normal in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Deployed as Task Force Talon, the 185th consists of units from 11 states’ Army National Guard, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont, organized into three battalions along with the brigade headquarters. The 3rd General Support...
Learn More10th Combat Aviation Brigade Holds Second Annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium
FORT DRUM, NY, UNITED STATES 05.05.2023 Story by Sgt. Brittany Washington 10th Combat Aviation Brigade The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI) hosted the second annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium, on Fort Drum, New York, this week. This five-day event brought together experts from across the division and the UAS community to discuss many topics related to these systems. The symposium covered an array of subjects, including UAS operations, maintenance, aviation standardization, and safety. This allowed attendees from across the Department of Defense to participate in discussion panels, breakout groups, and ideation sessions to dive into the...
Learn MoreA Time for Transition
It has been a great couple of years serving as your AAAA National President. Actually, it has been a great eight year run as your Treasurer, Secretary, Senior Vice President, and now President. To be celebrating 40 years as an Aviation Branch and our 66th year as a professional organization as I depart is incredible and causes me to pause and reflect on the great patriots that have built our association. Frankly, I am still humbled to have had the privilege to serve our professional organization. Unlike most of our brother and sister military not for profit organizations, I think...
Learn MoreAviation mechanics ensure KFOR helicopters keep flying
CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO 04.20.2023 Story by Staff Sgt. Anna Pongo KFOR Regional Command East CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – From carrying water to people who have none, to rescuing people in medical emergencies, Kosovo Force Regional Command-East’s (KFOR RC-E) Task Force Aviation works ceaselessly to ensure that the Soldiers and community in Kosovo are safe and secure. Although, those who fly the helicopters couldn’t do their job without the mechanics who work long hours to keep the aircraft airborne. For these Soldiers with the 1-131st Aviation Regiment, Task Force Yellowhammer, from the Alabama Army National Guard, the behind-the-scenes maintenance they execute...
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