How To “Fight Tonight” As Complexity Increases – Supervised Autonomy
Aviation Branch Chief / By MG William K. Gayler: Every time someone says that aviation will not be a factor on the future battlefield due to the IADS (integrated air defense systems) threat, they are completely wrong and misinformed. Let’s consider a scenario to illustrate the point. An Army CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter crew member types a message on his phone to communicate over the engine noise of the helicopter during an air assault exercise on Sept. 14, 2017, at Fort Hood, TX. Army Chinook and AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crews worked with Air Force joint terminal attack controllers to...
Learn MoreMaking Tactical Advancements to Enable the Warfighter
Unmanned Aircraft Systems / COL Courtney Cote: Commanders in the field today have an insatiable appetite for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), because it directly saves lives on the battlefield. The ability to see beyond what the human eye can see is invaluable, whether that be over the horizon, in an urban environment, marginal weather, inhospitable terrain, ship to shore, or in degraded visual environments. The team in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Management Office (UAS PMO), with the support of our industry and military partners, continues to design, develop and deliver capabilities to the Soldier that provide critical advantages...
Learn MoreConstructing an Airspace Management Team for the Future Force
Air Traffic Services / By CW3 LeBron Elder Jr., CW3 Kristal I. Hoover & CW3 Raphael E. Lopez: In 2007 the Army reintroduced the Air Traffic and Airspace Management (ATASM) Technician (150A) into its force structure. Ten years later, the first groups of Air Traffic and Airspace Management Technicians are now shaping airspace management training, doctrine, and the professional development for future generations of airspace management personnel at all echelons throughout the Army. CW3s Elder, Hooper and Lopez provide the following key insights to help you effectively build and train your airspace management teams, avoid pitfalls in airspace planning and...
Learn MoreWorking Hard and Giving Thanks
It is hard to believe how fast 2017 is flying by! It seems like we just left the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit and now we are in the midst of celebrating Thanksgiving with the New Years and religious holidays just ahead. AAAA National President BG (Ret.) Steve Mundt opens the 13th Luther G. Jones Aviation Depot Forum Oct. 4, 2017 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. We have just finished our series of Fall symposia to include the Luther Jones Depot Forum at Corpus Christi, TX and the Aircraft Survivability Equipment and Joseph P. Cribbins Product...
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...
Learn MoreThe Miracle of Grandchildren
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: Tom and I have had an amazing journey as grandparents for twenty-one years. Our 9 grands (and soon to add twins in March) range in age from 1 to 21 and live in 4 different states as well as Australia. COL Charles Heckel, a retired Aviator, was always there for his friend’s grandchildren, pictured with Kimberly and Rob Ewing. Nevertheless, thanks to daily phone calls, FaceTime, frequent visits, the ever-popular “Camp Nana,” and most holidays, we do stay close to them and in turn they stay close to each other. In many ways being...
Learn MoreThe U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at 20 Years
From the Field / By Kaylene Hughes, Ph.D.: On the afternoon of July 17, 1997, U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) Commander, GEN Johnnie E. Wilson, presided over the provisional stand-up ceremony for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) thereby merging the Army’s missile and aviation commands as recommended by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC-95) Commission. As part of the approved BRAC-95 action, the PEO Aviation also relocated from St. Louis, Missouri, to Redstone Arsenal. AMCOM Activation Ceremony, July 17, 1997. Standing left to right: MG James M. Link, GEN Johnnie E. Wilson, MG Emmitt E. Gibson....
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