Simulations for Flight Reconstruction
Tech Talk / By Mr. Christopher “Kit” Borden: The Aviation Engineering Directorate (AED) often uses simulations to recreate aircraft flight in order to support the airworthiness mission. Mr. Christopher “Kit” Borden is the executive officer of the Aviation Engineering Directorate of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center at Redstone Arsenal, AL. A screen capture of an AED visualization simulation / AMRDEC AED SCREEN CAPTURE There are two main types of simulations AED uses: visualization, which is used to help understand “what” happened, and physics-based simulation that is used to examine “how” or “why” things occurred....
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128th Aviation Brigade / By SSG Zachary T. Barber: Three questions must be answered for valuable training to occur: how to train, how to influence, and how to communicate to ensure trainees are learning. The most challenging part for all instructors is to develop the “how.” SSG Walter Kairuz, a 15B instructor with Co. C, 2nd Bn., 210th Avn. Regt. explains the main modules and subcomponents of the T700 series turbine engine to a 15B10 class on May 5, 2017. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG ZACHARY BARBER All Soldiers do not retain technical knowledge at the same rate because...
Learn MoreReadiness through Repetition
Reserve / By BG Scott R. Morcomb: Army reserve aviation has successfully executed tens of thousands of missions over our 50-plus year history, but never has there been a more proficient and lethal federal reserve aviation force for the nation. BG Scott Morcomb (center, standing), commanding general of the Army Reserve Aviation Command, observes a mission brief during XCTC 17-01 at Fort A.P. Hill over the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May 2017. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT MATTHEW ROMAN, U.S. ARAC This nearly impossible track record is not due to some consistent stroke of luck or...
Learn MoreGaining Back Aviation Maintenance Proficiency
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Gregory M. Chambers and LTC Thomas W. Bamford: In response to the Holistic Aviation Assessment Task Force findings and recommendations, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) led the Army’s effort to implement an aviation maintenance training program in order to build aviation maintenance proficiency back into the Branch. Soldiers of D Troop, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Calvary Regiment work on their individual sections of the AH-64E during the 500-hour phase maintenance on April 29 at Camp Taji, Iraq. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SSG ISOLDA REYES, 29TH COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE The Aviation...
Learn MoreThe “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...
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