Quiet Professionals
128th Aviation Brigade / By CPT Andrew J. Blik: Army Aviation will turn 75 on June 6, 2017 and the Army Aviation Branch celebrates its 34th anniversary on April 12th this year; both events representing a long and storied history of aviation within the Army and a bright vision for the future. 15R students from A/1-222d Avn. Regt. training with the new AH-64D landing gear trainer. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MR. DAVE SWARTZE The 128th Aviation Brigade (AB) in its most recent incarnation is the Army aviation’s maintenance training brigade celebrating its 5th year since reactivation. The 128th AB...
Learn MoreTotal Force Approach for Wildfire Relief
Reserve Components / By BG Scott R. Morcomb: From the coasts of North Africa during World War II to the current battlefields of the 21st Century, Army Aviators and aircraft have been engaged in every major conflict this country has seen. Aircrews from the 11th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB) flew three CH-47 Chinooks helicopters, specially outfitted with Bambi Bucket equipment, to assist in the relief efforts of those who were affected by the Kansas wildfires, Mar. 9, 2017. / U.S. ARMY RESERVE PHOTO BY CPT MATTHEW ROMAN, ARAC PAO As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Army Aviation, it...
Learn MoreLife as the Spouse of an Army Aviator
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer, Sue Stevens, Joyce Hesson, and Bobbi Robinson: We all know and appreciate whatAviation spouses and their families are enduring these days, but sometimes it is worth looking back to years gone by to also appreciate what life was like for our early aviation spouses. Sue Stevens (wife of MG (Ret.) Story C. Stevens – AAAA Past President, 1987-1989)It has been a long time since I became the wife of an Army Aviator. Sto went thru OCS, an occupation in Korea, and attended Purdue for three years until his unit was called to Active Duty...
Learn MoreTransforming 160th Special Ops (Airborne) Combat Mission Simulation
Stimulating Simulations / By COL Richard Haggerty, LTC Al Niles, CPT Luke Leininger, and CW5 Jody Bridgforth: Although rotary wing flight simulation can never replace the realism and effectiveness of turning JP-8 fuel into noise, current technology has opened the door for some innovative ways to maximize it. The Product Manager for Special Operations Training Systems (PM STS), in collaboration with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR(A)), pursued an acquisition/technical strategy to transform the special operations aviation simulation training enterprise from simulated to a stimulated baseline. The goals were to reduce lifecycle cost, shorten developmental timelines and improve...
Learn MoreMEDEVAC Proponency Update
By LTC John D. Goette, Jr.: It is an exciting time in the aeromedical evacuation community. The operational tempo for air ambulance units remains high as they balance the execution of one of the most important and most rewarding missions in the Army while balancing modernization efforts. Company C, 2nd Battalion (General Support Aviation), 1st Aviation Regiment moves into its new hangar on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Nov. 9, 2016. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY JET FABARA Air ambulance units continue to provide support to ongoing contingency operations world-wide; respond to natural disasters and other emergencies at home; provide installation MEDEVAC...
Learn MoreThis Year’s Look at Army Safety
Safety / By BG Jeffrey A.Farnsworth: Annually, to get a better perspective on the state of Army Safety, our team prepares a comprehensive assessment of the previous year. The Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Assessment of the Army Safety Program provides leadership with in-depth accident analysis, trends and loss prevention concerns. It covers a broad spectrum of areas including aviation and non-aviation accidents, on- and off-duty accidents, and it provides a perspective into units’ safety cultures and command climates. With a concentration on aviation, I’ll share some insights. Polish special forces service members pull security as they wait for the last...
Learn MoreRise Above – The New Army Reserve Aviation
By BG Scott R. Morcomb, MAJ Clint Williams, and CPT Matthew Roman: The current geopolitical reality makes a U.S. engagement in a major conflict with a near peer enemy a definite possibility. Army Reserve Aviation has embraced this reality by executing the mass restructuring that is the Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI) while revolutionizing the way that we train our crews, battalions and brigades. We feel that this plan will prepare us to fight and win a unified land-air battle against any future foe. With the ever-evolving threat, the need for the capability to operate within a unified land-air operation, and...
Learn MoreARNG Aviation: Always Ready – Always There
Reserve Components Aviation / By COL J. Ray Davis: The Army National Guard has the vital role of providing essential capability to civilian authorities. As the combat reserve of the Army, the ARNG’s primary role remains to provide trained and ready forces to the Army to fight and win our Nation’s wars. North Carolina National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters fly over flooded areas of Eastern N.C. after Hurricane Matthew. Guardsmen from across the state executed rescue and relief missions with more than 1,000 Guardsmen activated in the wake of the storm. / U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY CPT...
Learn MoreThe Waiver Process and Aircrew Member Access to AERO
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ Sonya H. Heidt, MD: Q:What is the process for obtaining a medical waiver? Also, how can I check the status of my flight physical and waiver request? military.com FS: Air-crewmembers complete an annual flight physical during the APART (Annual Proficiency and Readiness Test) window, where your flight surgeon or other aeromedically-trained provider reviews your prior medical records and conditions as well as any screening tests conducted for this exam (e.g. hearing, vision, EKG, and lab results). Then, he/she completes a physical exam. If your flight surgeon identifies a disqualifyingcondition or treatment that requires...
Learn MoreMEDEVAC Search and Rescue Missions
Tech Talk / By Mr. Nathan Proper: A successful medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) search and rescue (SAR) mission must quickly and accurately locate/navigate to the person(s) in distress. Soldiers standing by to load simulated casualties on a MEDEVAC Black Hawk / U.S. ARMY PHOTO Therefore, having the latest life-saving and personnel locating technology on the aircraft is critical. Alongside the properly trained medics, the well-equipped MEDEVAC pilots and crew significantly increases the chance of survival for wounded soldiers, downed crews, and other persons in imminent danger. One of the life-saving items of equipment used for these SAR missions is the Personal...
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