2019 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 2018, 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 2018 contest. Visit the AAAA website, quad-a.org for details and submission requirements. Bill Harris, Publisher First Place – “MARRS at Night” By CW3 Jason M. Cabrera, Georgetown, Texas A MARSS aircraft waits for launch into the night in support of Operation Freedom’s...
Learn MoreFamily Readiness: A Key Enabler to Unit Readiness
Family Forum / By COL H. Allan Cutchin: The 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB) is finalizing preparations for one of the largest Army Reserve deployments in recent history. The challenge of mobilizing and deploying almost 900 Soldiers and over 400 lines of equipment from seven different locations requires the 244th ECAB to leverage every possible readiness enabler. Soldiers and family members of the 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB) are briefed by the commander of the Army Reserve Aviation Command (ARAC), BG Jamelle C. Shawley, at a mobilization ceremony held ahead of the Brigade’s upcoming deployment in April 2019....
Learn MoreCervical Cancer Screening
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ Abigail K. Vargo, MD: Q: I’ve had an “abnormal, but not concerning” Pap result in the past and I just turned RED for cervical cancer screening in MEDPROS. I am worried that this is going to ground me. What does this test result mean? FS: Before I give some guidance on how to interpret such results and the possible impact on flight status, let me take a moment to explain why screening tests like the Pap are performed. Photo: army.mil The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) makes evidence-based recommendations concerning clinical preventive...
Learn MoreArmy National Guard Training at Fort Rucker
Branch Chief’s Update / By BG M. Todd Hunt: In 2013, to promote Total Force integration the Army created a position for an Army National Guard Deputy Commanding General (DCG-ARNG) to serve as a member of the USAACE headquarters command group. The role of the DCG-ARNG is to serve as the principle advisor to and representative of the Commanding General (CG), USAACE for ARNG equities across the Aviation Branch. U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO The DCG-ARNG also serves as the liaison between USAACE and the Director, ARNG and Chief, National Guard Bureau (NGB). The DCG-ARNG is responsible to the CG...
Learn MoreApproaching the Summit on the Winds of Change
President’s Cockpit / BG Steve Mundt, Ret.: Wow! It is hard to believe that we are only a couple of weeks away from the 2019 AAAA Annual Summit in Nashville, TN. BG (Ret.) Steve Mundt (left), CW4 Jimmy Johnston, and Mr. Tyler Yeathermon, Corpus Christi Chapter President, celebrate Johnston’s induction into the Gold Honorable Order of St. Michael. Everyone is preparing – from your chapters, to the National Executive Board/Group and the National Headquarters – to ensure you have the best possible experience at this year’s Summit! We are looking forward to seeing everyone! The professional program, coupled with the...
Learn MoreDisaster Preparedness
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Gurdeep Buttar, MD: In this article, let’s reflect on some of the significant weather events and emergencies of 2018 and what we can learn from them in order to prepare for the upcoming year. Photo: army.mil As Hurricane Michael pushed through the Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle, it left devastation in its wake and displaced hundreds of families. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed with the effects of coastal flooding and damaged infrastructure predicted to take years to repair. At Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City Beach, Florida, more than 11,000...
Learn MoreIs There a Scary Side to Screen Time?
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: I enjoyed watching a segment of 60 Minutes on CBS on December 9, 2018, when Anderson Cooper interviewed Dr. Gaya Dowling and Dr. Kara Bagot of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Dimitri Christakis, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University. Jean Twenge, Ph.D./ COURTESY PHOTO It focused on a groundbreaking study to examine the effects of screen time on kids. Some of you might remember Jean Twenge speaking to family members at AAAA’s Summit in April 2012, and I followed up collaborating with her on...
Learn MoreArmy Aviation – A Tradition of Teamwork
PEO Aviation Update / By BG Thomas H. Todd III: This article is dedicated to the tremendous efforts of countless professionals and their continued commitment to delivering advanced capability to our Army aviators every day. The Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) completed successful Follow-On Test and Evaluation in August 2018 at Edwards Air Force Base, Ca. The Gray Eagle-ER demonstrated the ability to provide the loiter time on station at a specified operational range with a significant increase in endurance capability over the baseline Gray Eagle aircraft. / COURTESY PHOTO This exemplifies the rich tradition of Army Aviation, which for...
Learn MoreEmbracing Change
President’s Cockpit / By BG Steve Mundt, Ret.: 2019 has barely started and already the operational tempo and the pace of change is not letting up. Mr. John Shipley is congratulated by AAAA President, BG (Ret.) Steve Mundt, at Shipley’s retirement in January 2019./ BG (RET.) MUNDT PERSONAL PHOTO People are and will remain the centerpiece of our Army and the focus of AAAA. We as a branch, an army, industry partners and the Army Aviation Association of America are so blessed with strong and dynamic leadership. Our famous “Six-Pack” is a perfect example of this, but with all good...
Learn MoreSustaining the Fleet – Leveraging Condition Based Reset
Maintenance/Sustainment / By COL Shawn T. Prickett and Mr. James P. Snyder: Modernization and the future force is a top priority for the Army, and there is currently a buzz about the future of Army Aviation. The discussion of Future Vertical Lift (FVL) capabilities and capacity is shaping the way future warfare may be conducted. FVL will provide a currently unattainable range and station time, proving combatant commanders flexibility and decision space during future operations. Future sustainment concepts will provide increased reliability, reduced maintenance per flight hour, ensuring Army Aviation’s unparalleled support to the warfighter. With all of the benefits...
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