The “Why”
Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch / By CW5 Joseph B. Roland: As Army Aviation integrates changes driven by The National Commission on the Future of the Army, the Holistic Aviation Assessment Task Force (HAATF) Study, and Aviation Branch specific initiatives, I wanted to take some time to give you the “why” behind just a few of these changes. CW3 James Baker presents his team’s findings to LTG Robert Brown, commander of the Combined Arms Center, during the first Warrant Officer Solarium, held at the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, Jan. 15, 2016. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO...
Learn MoreRetaining Army Aviation’s Decisive Advantage through Training
Aviation Branch Chief / By MG William K. Gayler: While the U.S. military enjoys many technological advantages over current and potential adversaries, the rapid pace of technological change in the world is quickly eroding those advantages in many areas – and the Army’s Aviation Branch is no exception. Battle Group Poland U.S. Soldiers conduct air assault training with 10th Combat Aviation Brigade’s CH-47 and UH-60 helicopters at Rostki Helipad near the Bemowo Piskie Training Area during Saber Strike 17 June 6. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO alliance...
Learn MoreFair Winds Aloft
President’s Cockpit / By BG Steve Mundt, Ret.: Summer is in full swing but we want to take time to remember those who are deployed and away from those they love. We hope those who are with their loved ones are out enjoying the weather and some much deserved time off! It is important to note that AAAA is also in full swing and moving out on a number of fronts. First, I am pleased to announce that the 2018 AAAA Annual Summit has already sold out the majority of the exhibit area with well over $2M in revenue. Yes...
Learn MoreSpouses Who SOAR – A Different Approach to Family Readiness
Family Forum / By LTC Reggie Harper, MAJ Mike Nguyen, Mrs. Karen Harper and Ms. Birgit Jones: The cornerstone organization for family readiness is the company-level Family Readiness Group (FRG). Members of 3rd Bn., 160th SOAR (A) Family Readiness Group discuss upcoming events. / ARMY PHOTO BY ARSOA STAFF MEMBER A well-functioning company FRG is the foundation through which spouses and family members access information and connect to a support network to overcome unique challenges faced by military families. This is certainly the case in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and we anticipate that it will remain so...
Learn MoreU.S. Army Aviation in Europe – Back to the Future
By COL Christopher Waters, COL Clair Gill, and LTC(P) Bassey Bassey: Tank and motorized rifle divisions massed along the border. Terrorist attacks against Americans and their kasernes. U.S. Army units training alongside their NATO counterparts in deterrence. Welcome to West Germany, 1982. Welcome to Germany, 2017. Aviators from Bravo Company, 1st Bn., 3rd Avn. Regt., 12th CAB, “Warlords,” execute deliberate planning alongside the German Tiger helicopter pilots. The 1-3rd ARB, recently completed their combined combat aerial gunnery from March 16-April 5, at the Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT JAYMON BELL, 12TH CAB While the global...
Learn MoreFlying Aircraft In “Brownout” Conditions
Degraded Visual Environment / By Mr. Mark A. Schauer: Takeoff and landing are the two most dangerous periods for any aircraft. The danger is compounded when a helicopter is caught in a degraded visual environment (DVE) such as a brownout. Caused by rapidly blowing sand and dirt thrown into a vortex by the rotor blades of a helicopter, a brownout’s swirling dust gives pilots the illusion they are moving even if they are hovering stationary. Hazardous in any situation, it is particularly risky when landing in a combat zone. A Black Hawk test aircraft performs a brownout landing to the...
Learn MoreArmy Special Operation Aviation in PACOM
Army Special Ops / By MAJ Robert McBride and 1SG Ted Sager: Mission Command is a very common term in today’s Army. However, if you ask a Soldier what mission command actually means, you are likely to receive a blank stare. So, what does the term really mean and how does it enable a unit to succeed in its operational requirements? Mission Command is the exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative within the commander’s intent to empower agile and adaptive leaders in the conduct of unified land operations (ADP 6-0). MH-47G...
Learn MoreLeading the Way – Giving Back to the Force
Special Ops / By COL Philip Ryan, CW5 Michael Hardy, and CSM Christopher Bosowski: The bonds between Army Aviation and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) run deep and strong. We’ve shared the same desert airspace, flown around the same harsh and unforgiving peaks, choked on the same dust, fought the same enemy, and, ultimately, bled the same blood. The Regiment traces the roots of its distinguished history to Army Aviation, the famed 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to be exact; the Regiment could not exist as it does today without the lifeblood of Army Aviation. An MH-60 conducts...
Learn MoreObstructive Sleep Apnea
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Albert J. Lee, MD: Q: I have sleep apnea. I use a breathing machine while sleeping. Why is it a disqualifying condition? What other treatments can pilots use? What medical documentation do I need for this physical and future physicals? Soldiers, who are deployed, average just three hours of sleep a night. / DAVID VERGUN, ARMY.MIL FS: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where a person stops breathing or has difficulty breathing due to an obstruction of the airway during sleep. When breathing becomes inefficient or stops, the brain will send a signal...
Learn MoreNoncommissioned Officer and Advance Individual Training Platoon Sergeant of the Year
128th Aviation Brigade / By SFC Craig M. Sunstedt: On 9 March 2017, the winners of the 128th Aviation Brigade (AVN BDE) Fiscal Year 17 NCOY/PSOY competition were announced during a ceremony held on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. SSG Brittany Barfield negotiates the last of 15 obstacles during the first day of competition. SSG Mathew Johnson from Charlie Company 2nd Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment took the NCO of the Year honors and SSG Brittany Barfield from Delta Company 1st Bn., 222nd Avn. Regt. took the Platoon Sergeant of the Year honors. Of the 519 NCOs assigned to the 128th AVN...
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