ALSE: A Special Operations Aviation Perspective
By CW5 Eli Mayers: We live in a day and age where advances in aviation technology come so fast that it’s hard to keep up. From state-of-the-art flight control systems, efficient and powerful engines, to advances in communication and navigation, the landscape of Army Aviation is ever evolving in complexity and capability. ALL GRAPHICS/PHOTOS COURTESY U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION COMMAND The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR(A)) is always at the forefront of these endeavors, attempting to create the most lethal and efficient flying machines possible. Over the past three years, the 160th Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE)...
Learn MoreThe Forefront of SOF UAS Training
By CSM Billy D. Webb and MAJ Seth Gulsby: Young and talented unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operators are deployed to two different areas of responsibility and are at the front of UAS operations that demonstrate a unique understanding of the operational environment with a skill that the ground force they support has come to trust. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system. / ARSOAC COURTESY PHOTO So how did these SOF UAS operators get to this point? Having just completed the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Green Platoon Combat Skills Course (EGP), these young Special...
Learn MorePreparing for Large Scale Combat Operations
Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Gregory M. Chambers: Is your platoon, company, battalion prepared to operate in large scale combat operations (LSCO)? Is your unit prepared to operate in a decentralized environment in a mixed team of Aviation platforms that is directly or indirectly embedded with our ground force maneuver elements? Is your current training plan focused on LSCO? Soldiers from the 198th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY PATRICK A. ALBRIGHT As our doctrine evolves there is one thing that will be constant, we must be embedded with our ground force maneuver elements....
Learn MoreInches or Seconds – The Near Miss
Combat Readiness Center / By BG David J. Francis: During the past few months, the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center collected results from several recent “close call” or “near miss” mishaps. By near miss, I mean that while the mishap did not meet the criteria of a Class A accident due to cost or a fatality, a small difference in conditions — inches or seconds — could have caused the mishap to be much worse than it was. A flight crew with the Maryland National Guard’s 224th Aviation Regiment conducts a brief before a mission to insert troops into battle...
Learn MoreEnjoying Life in the “Land of the Morning Calm”
Family Forum / By Lisa Calvert: If you tuned in for any coverage of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, you probably caught a glimpse of what South Korea has to offer. Did you wonder what it’s like for Soldiers and their families stationed there? Soldiers and family members of the 2nd Cbt. Avn. Bde. watch a Group B preliminary round of hockey between the USA and Olympic Athletes of Russia (OAR) at the Gangneung Hockey Center on February 17, 2018. / PHOTO BY CW3 ISAAC VASQUEZ Some people may think we are essentially dropped in a foreign land, where most...
Learn MoreAdjustment and Depressive Disorders
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Frank C. Stafford, D.O.: Q: Lately, I have been having problems sleeping, staying motivated and coping with stress. At times I feel hopeless and I wonder if I am depressed. Can I get the help I need and still fly? FS: Thank you for this important question. Symptoms of depression are common, rarely permanent and affect most people at some time in their lives. You may have depressive symptoms for many medical reasons and it does not necessarily mean you have a diagnosis of clinical depression or that you require medication or duty...
Learn MoreTraining for Large Scale Combat Operations
Aviation Branch Chief / By MG William K. Gayler: “ In today’s volatile operational environment, our Army must remain ready to answer the Nation’s call anywhere and anytime, with little or no notice. Because of this, readiness for large-scale ground combat is our first priority.” ADP-1 “The Army” Foreword Soldiers take up defensive positions after disembarking from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an air assault training mission in the Fort Drum training area in New York, Feb. 21, 2018. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG JAMES AVERY The recently published 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) has substantial implications for Army...
Learn MoreWelcome to Nashville and the Summit
President’s Cockpit / By BG Steve Mundt, Ret.: The National Executive Group (NEG), the National Executive Board (NEB) and the entire AAAA Staff are so excited to welcome you back to Nashville and the 2018 AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit. It has been a challenging six years since Army Conference policy dramatically impacted the attendance of Soldiers and families at not-for profit professional development opportunities like the Summit. I am pleased to report that thanks to those leaders who came before me and the current NEG we have overcome that hurdle and this event this year is the largest...
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 MoreCH-47F Block II Delivers a Mobility Advantage
Rotary Wing PM / COL Greg Fortier, LTC John Schmitt, and MAJ Shawn Naigle: In late September 1944, Operation Market Garden began with Allied paratroopers attempting to seize several bridges and secure a Rhein River crossing into Germany. While historians debate the success of the operation, the importance of controlling bridges across river obstacles in maneuver warfare is undeniable. Armies throughout history have used rivers as natural defensive obstacles or targeted them as key terrain for supply line interdiction; both techniques aimed to constrain the opposing forces on freedom of maneuver. Rapid bridge emplacements utilizing engineer bridging units are an...
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