The Army Reprogramming Analysis Team: 25 Years of Transformation
By Jason M. Juliano and Joseph S. Skarbowski: December 2016 marked the 25th year of the Army’s Rapid Software Reprogramming (RSR) infrastructure that develops, delivers and sustains software for electronic warfare (EW) systems and other electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) capabilities to support commanders across the full range of military operations. The Aviation and EW Communities know this organization as Army Materiel Command’s (AMC) Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center (SEC) Army Reprogramming Analysis Team (ARAT). The dispersion of aviation units during Operation “Desert Storm” highlighted the difficulties of ASE reprogramming./ PHOTO FROM DEFENSE.GOV ARCHIVE For 25 years, ARAT software and network...
Learn MoreAir Cavalry and the Aviation Restructure Initiative
By LTC Andrew M. Beyer: Early in the spring of 2015, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry deployed to the National Training Center (NTC) as an aviation task force with 47 aircraft and a 500 trooper task force supporting 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s (ABCT) preparation to deploy to Iraq. In the months following this rotation, the Squadron would quickly shift fires to focus on the transition of the Squadron to the new Heavy Armed Reconnaissance Squadron (H-ARS) structure as part of the Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI). OH-58 Kiowa helicopters from 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment., 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry...
Learn MorePreparing Now for Multi-Domain Battle
TRADOC Capability / By COL Jeffrey W. White: The emerging operational environment indicates future operations will be significantly different than those of the recent past. Multi-Domain Battle allows US Forces to outmaneuver adversaries physically and cognitively, applying combined arms in and across all domains. – Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) Multi-Domain Battle Pamphlet An Army AH-64 Apache helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). / U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JUSTIN YARBOROUGH How can we leverage the hard fought lessons of the past and the extensive...
Learn MoreDelivering Partner Capability
Non-Standard Rotary Wing Aircraft / By COL Steven B. Clark: The mission of the Non-Standard Rotary Wing Aircraft (NSRWA) Project Management Office (PMO) is to procure, field and sustain non-standard rotorcraft for the Department of Defense (DoD), allied countries or as directed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense in support of Overseas Contingency Operations. Initially established in 2010 to procure and lifecycle sustain the fleet of Mi-17 helicopters in support of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A), the portfolio has expanded to 315 aircraft representing a diverse fleet of Mi-17, MD-530, AH-6i, OH-58D, UH-1, Huey II, AH-1, Bell...
Learn MoreRotary Wing: Apache Helicopter
PM Update / By COL Joseph A. Hoecherl with COL (Ret) Robin D. Cofer: At the end of 2016, the Army took delivery of its 169th AH-64E Apache helicopter, which equates to 5 AH-64E battalions and almost 25% of the current Army Acquisition Objective (AAO) of 690 aircraft. Fielded units include 1-229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB), 4-6 CAV, 1-101st ARB, 2-17 CAV, 7-17 CAV, and USAACE. The final technology insertion originally planned for the AH-64E production line, referred to as Version 6 (V6), provides the remaining technologies required to meet the approved requirements for the program. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO...
Learn MoreBirth Control
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Abigail Vargo, M.D: Q: Doc, I want to get a prescription for birth control. What are my options while on flight status? Homecoming ceremony at Fort Hood, Texas / U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sharla Lewis FS: Prescription birth control is safe and considered a Class 2A medication – it must be prescribed by a physician and reported on the annual flight physical. Estrogen or progesterone preparations do not require a waiver when used solely for contraception or hormone replacement following menopause or hysterectomy. There are many effective methods to prevent pregnancy. Choosing...
Learn MorePM-TRADOC Collaboration – A Thing of Beauty
128th Aviation Brigade / By SSG Neil R. Smith: The mission of Army Aviation is constantly evolving. With the evolution in tactics, techniques and procedures, comes training technological evolution. The L-7AY Multiplex, Avionics, Visionics, Weapons, Electrical Systems Trainer (MAVWEST) during acceptance testing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA./ U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG NEIL R. SMITH For more than a decade, the AH-64D Apache Longbow has been the U.S. Army’s premier attack helicopter and has performed outstandingly. In the normal evolution of technology, this tried and true warrior is being replaced by the latest attack helicopter, the AH-64E. It is still...
Learn MoreAviation Training Site Achieves Major Milestones
Eastern Army National Guard (ARNG) / By LTC(P) Gregg Clark and CSM (Ret.) Charles Reisinger: Last year, the Eastern ARNG Aviation Training Site (EAATS) achieved two major milestones – training and graduating the 10,000th enlisted Soldier; and breaking ground on the new Aviation Maintenance Instruction Building (AMIB) at Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA. SFC Sean Merrill, an instructor at the Eastern ARNG Aviation Training Site, discusses the Black Hawk primary servo with a class. / NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY SSG BROCK LICHTENFELS, EASTERN AATS In April 1989, National Guard Aviation determined the need to start enlisted training at the EAATS. The...
Learn MoreGaining and Maintaining the Edge on Aircraft Maintenance!
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Gregory M. Chambers: Gaining the edge on aircraft maintenance and maintaining aircraft maintenance proficiency takes leader engagement at all levels to be successful. Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion (Attack/Recon), 229th Aviation Regiment gather near a unit AH-64D undergoing scheduled maintenance in September 2016 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CSM GREGORY M. CHAMBERS More importantly, when we succeed at this as a branch, the branch and the Army succeeds. In this month’s issue of ARMY AVIATION magazine, the focus is on the Program Managers. I briefly talked about...
Learn MoreArmy Aviators Work Maritime Tactics
Spotlight / By MAJ Ian Benson and MAJ Erin Braswell: 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry AH-64s from 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Task Force Saber participated in sinking a target vessel as an exercise (SINKEX), part of the annual Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises. The Navy provided a decommissioned naval vessel that was anchored over 50 miles offshore and engaged by over 6 different Naval, Air force and Army platforms. The AH-64 conducted eight different engagements against the littoral target and validated the helicopter’s lethality not only on land but in the littoral environment as well. Two U.S. Army AH-64D Apache...
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