The Aviation Safety Officer
Combat Readiness Center / By BG David J. Francis: For more than 40 years, aviation safety officers have proven an indispensable asset for commanders across the Army, both in peacetime and at war, at home and deployed. SPC Joseph Merrill, a door gunner with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, Task Force Lightning Horse, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade checks his passengers before taking off in Afghanistan./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY 25TH CBT. AVN. BDE. PAO There is little doubt they have played a tremendous role in sustaining the Army’s aviation fleet and preserving the lives of our aviators, all...
Learn MoreOver-the-Counter Cold Medications
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Jessica Warneke, D.O.: Q: Doc, a lot of guys are getting a cold and have started taking over-the-counter (OTC) meds. Are we supposed to come in to see you if we are taking OTC medications? Photo Credit: U.S. Army FS: As an aircrew member, you operate in an environment that requires you to be more aware, focused, and healthy than the typical Army population. The environment in which you operate is very unforgiving and one small mistake or error can be fatal. If you become sick over the weekend and take an OTC...
Learn MoreSolutions for Aviation Survivability
Tech Talk / By Mrs. Sammie M. Smith: Other than completing the mission at hand, warfighters strive to return home to family and friends, and the U.S. Army wants safe soldiers and equipment. A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to Task Force Flying Dragons, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division departs for a mission in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 6, 2017. / .S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT BRIAN HARRIS, 16TH CAB Surviving without the properly qualified equipment makes those goals more difficult to attain. This is the area that the employees at...
Learn MorePost Career Civilian Opportunities for Army Aviation Maintainers
128th Aviation Brigade / By SSG Deniz Wesley: According to the Atlantic Journal-Constitution, the worldwide airline industry will need 34,000 new airplanes by 2031 (twice the current number) and 601,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians in the next 20 years to maintain that fleet. U.S. Army aviation maintenance training programs are recognized and accredited by the American Council on Education and produce some of the most technically competent Soldier-maintainers in the world. It seems as though the private sector has realized this valuable resource pool of future maintainers and is more than eager to provide former military aviation technicians unique –...
Learn MoreU.S. Army Reserve Aviation Assists In Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
By BG Scott R. Morcomb: On August 26, just days before Harvey was scheduled to make landfall in the Houston, Texas area, elements of the Army Reserve Aviation Command (ARAC) readied themselves to respond to the needs of our nation’s citizens in Conroe, Texas. L to R: U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the Army Reserve Aviation Command, transport senior citizens off of an HH-60 MEDEVAC helicopter, to first responders in Conroe, Texas, Aug. 30. SGT Sara Cashdollar, a U.S. Army Reserve Flight Paramedic from Charlie Company, 7th Battalion (General Support Aviation) 158th Aviation Regiment, escorts a mother and her child...
Learn MoreOperation Atlantic Resolve
Command Sergeant Major Update / By CSM Gregory M. Chambers: Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR) – the perfect operating environment (OE) for training in multiple settings across numerous countries and mission sets. 3-1 Attack Recon Battalion, flying out of Grafenwöhr, Germany, taking off for a live fire shoot on March 27th, 2017. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CSM GREGORY CHAMBERS The OAR mission offers units the venue to conduct decentralized operations, numerous training opportunities from individual to battalion level, to build partner nation capacity, and to work on expeditionary operations. Although the OAR mission offers a great opportunity for aviation units...
Learn MoreAMCOM Priority = Sustainment (Readiness)
Maintenance / By CW5 Michael D. Cavaco: Sustainment is our focus. To that end, a little over a decade ago the Aviation Enterprise invested in creating the “Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer” (ABMO) position. In the last ten plus years, the position has grown in both scope and responsibility as three CW5s have held the position and have been the entry point for all BAMOs/units into the aviation enterprise. As the mantle passes from CW5 Cardona to CW5 Cavaco, it is a great time to provide an update on the ABMO office. CW5 Leonte Cardona and family. Editor’s Note: We at...
Learn MoreAviation Readiness for Today and Tomorrow
AMCOM Commander Update / By MG Douglas M. Gabram: U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command will recognize 20 years of maintenance and sustainment excellence in October 2017. Over the course of those years, AMCOM has evolved and adapted in order to ensure it is capable of responding to warfighter needs. National Guard Soldiers of the 449th Aviation Support Battalion, organized under the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the 1107th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group work together on the 500-hour phase maintenance cycle of the AH-64E Apache “Guardian” at Taji Military Complex, Iraq, July 6, 2017. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG...
Learn MoreThrottle Wide Open!
President’s Cockpit / By BG Steve Mundt, Ret.: We need to take a minute and keep in our thoughts and prayers all those who are suffering from the effects of the recent hurricanes. I am proud to say we were able to reach out to the Chapters who were affected and provide our support and are continuing to do so. AAAA National President BG (Ret.) Steve Mundt (right) addresses attendees at the Interoperability/Standardization Conference in Slovakia the last week in September, 2017. This is the second year that AAAA was invited to participate. / AAPI PHOTO BY BILL HARRIS I...
Learn MoreProject Manager Aircraft Survivability Equipment Update
Aviation Survivaiblity / By COL Jong H. Lee: As I begin my 4th year as the Project Manager for Aircraft Survivability Equipment, I am sincerely thankful for the incredible opportunity to protect our Nation’s most valuable assets – the lives of American Soldiers. And along with that reflection, I also marvel at the technical skills, dedication, professionalism, and passion that the ASE enterprise displays to accomplish that mission. An AH-64D Apache releases flares over a valley during support of coalition special operations forces and Afghan soldiers during a firefight near Nawa Garay village in the Kajran district of Afghanistan’s Daykundi...
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