Modernization and Looking to the Future
PEO Aviation / By BG Thomas H. Todd III: Aviation Family, as I enter my second year as the program executive officer for Army Aviation, we are faced with a demanding set of missions as well as a host of other challenges that impact the Aviation Enterprise in numerous ways. U.S. Army Apache AH-64E helicopter pilots assigned to 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division participate in Raptor Fury, a month-long exercise to validate 16th CAB’s mission readiness with the support of close to 1,500 7th ID Soldiers. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO I, alongside a...
Learn MoreMaking Your Voice Heard
President’s Cockpit / By BG Steve Mundt, Ret.: Wow, how time flies! I can’t believe that the 2018 AAAA Annual Summit, in Nashville, TN is almost upon us. We are looking forward to seeing all of you there! Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis testifies alongside U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Oct. 13, 2017. / DOD PHOTO BY U.S. ARMY SGT JAMES K. MCCANN April 25-27, 2018 are the official dates but we have all kinds of set up, board meetings,...
Learn MorePlanning for Expeditionary Operations and Sustainment
Maintenance / By CW5 Michael D. Cavaco: In today’s ever-changing operational environment, we must be ready to deploy, fight, and win on a moment’s notice anywhere in the world. But the time to plan is not upon receipt of the warning order, but instead must be woven into all we do, at home station and deployed. Soldiers from C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th U.S. Cavalry Regiment perform inspections and maintenance on an AH-64E Apache helicopter at Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, September 2, 2017. The 2-17th Cav. will provide attack, reconnaissance and surveillance capability for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation...
Learn MoreMilspousepreneur will be Trending in 2018
Family Forum / By Elizabeth Scruggs and Judy Konitzer: Flexible work arrangements, technology, and the cultural shift to remote business arrangements are just a few of the reasons military spouses are finding entrepreneurship and business ownership a solution to unemployment and underemployment. According to the 2017 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey, the unemployment rate for military spouses is 28%, and 55% are underemployed earning $20,000 less than civilian counterparts. Spouse employment is an issue that continues to top quality of life challenges for military families, and the following spouses from across multiple branches (Coast Guard, Army, and Marine)...
Learn MoreKeeping Pace With the Force
128th Aviation Brigade / By CPT Matthew J. Murray: Since its activation in 2012 the 128th Aviation Brigade has been responsible for training more than 80% of the enlisted Soldiers within our Aviation Branch and providing the force with more than 5,000 trained Soldiers, NCOs and warrant officers each year. AH-64D L7 MAVWEST training devices in Ottenburg Hall, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT MATTHEW J. MURRAY I have commanded Alpha Company, 1-210th Aviation Regiment for 18 months. The company is responsible for all enlisted 15Y AH-64 Armament/Electrical/Avionics Systems Repairer and all warrant officer 151A Aviation Maintenance...
Learn MoreSCUBA Diving and Flying
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ Abigail Vargo, MD: Q: I started taking SCUBA diving classes and the instructor said I should not dive too soon before flying because it increases the risk of DCS. What is DCS, and how does it impact flight status? Photo courtesy Army.mil FS: Decompression sickness or “DCS” is a recognized risk of recreational SCUBA diving. DCS is an injury caused by the normal behavior of gas in the body when placed in environments of changing pressure. We think of air as mostly oxygen, but it is only about 21% oxygen while nitrogen, an...
Learn MoreAMCOM – Supporting Army Aviation Today and Into the Future
AMCOM Commander / By MG Douglas M. Gabram: The U.S. Army’s aviation legacy can be summed up in a single word: overmatch. We are stronger, better armed, and more skillful in battle than our adversaries. This global reputation has been hard won, and exhibited daily on the battlefield for the last 16 years. Today we risk becoming outmanned, outgunned, and outdated. To combat this, we must resuscitate a healthy focus on sustainment life-cycle planning, build depth in our supply chain, and reverse leveraging our future capabilities for immediate readiness. As the Aviation Enterprise continues to execute the Army’s readiness priority,...
Learn MoreSupporting Soldiers Helping Soldiers
President’s Cockpit / By BG Steve Mundt, Ret.: Every once in a while, we come across a situation in which each of us can make a difference. So as we begin a new year in 2018, I want to relay to you a story where one of our own, together with our organization, is making a real difference. Former Marine Garrett Carnes and his new companion dog, Unno. / PERSONAL PHOTOS FROM SFC CHRISTOPHER SMITH In the context of the AAAA and our four pillars of Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support of our Army Aviation Soldiers and Families, it is...
Learn MoreHome Education: An Attractive Option for Military Families
Family Forum / By Elizabeth Scruggs: As debates rage across the political landscape on how to best reform American education practices, unpopular mandates, and appointments made, a growing body of parents are looking for other options to provide a flexible, customizable, and high quality education for their children. Liz Scruggs conducts “Freedom Academy” which includes formal education (Math, Science, History, Language, Reading and Writing etc.) for her three children from 9-12. After lunch they take their learning outside for exploring, field trips, sports, and volunteer activities. / PHOTO BY MAJOR ANDREW SCRUGGS Parents are demanding more from an archaic institution,...
Learn MoreHappy Holidays to you and your family!
Dear AAAA Members, Happy Holidays to you and your family from me and the whole AAAA team! It is at this time of year that we all take a moment to reflect on all we have done and accomplished as a Team in 2017 and to look forward to another great year coming in 2018. Many of us celebrate in so many different ways such as Mawlid Un Nabi, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s with our family and loved ones. We need to remember that no matter how we celebrate, it is all based on the liberties we enjoy...
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