Advanced Composite Training
128th Aviation Brigade / By SSG Joshua Hankins: In the continuing quest to find better and faster ways to repair and return aircraft to full mission capable status while offering a stronger, lighter, and cheaper alternative to traditional sheet metal materials, the Army has fully embraced advanced composite structures. Students get hands on experience with the vacuum bag required for advanced composite repairs. / 128th AVN BDE PHOTO Recognizing the advantages of advanced composites in specific aircraft components such as the horizontal stabilators on the UH-60M and the AH-64E, we proceeded without a clear concept or capability to repair in...
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Reserve Components / By COL J. Ray Davis: Greetings again from your Army National Guard (ARNG). It’s been a few months since I’ve had the chance to share some observations, but even though the following is somewhat dated, it’s still relevant. Arizona Army National Guard AH-64 Apache helicopters at a task force field site at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA, June, 2016./ ARIZONA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO In late June, I had the opportunity to visit the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA and observe the ARNG Aviation Task Force that was supporting Minnesota’s 1-34th Armored Brigade...
Learn MoreGetting UAS Warrant Officer Training Right
Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch / By CW5 Joseph B. Roland: The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Warrant Officer (150U), while not new, is still relatively immature. Our ability to fully capitalize and leverage our UAS capabilities is directly related to the level of training and development we invest in our 150U community. An RQ-7 Shadow Unmanned Aircraft System launches at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO A CW2 150U serves as an intermediate level expert who is technically and tactically proficient at leading, training, managing, maintaining, sustaining, and advising the commander on all assigned unmanned systems. He...
Learn MoreThe Army’s New Teaching Aid
128th Aviation Brigade / By SFC James R. Journigan Jr.: The Virtual Interactive Environment (VIE) is a tool used throughout the Army today. Although simulators have been used in the Army for many years, the VIE is the next generation of equipment in the simulation evolution. SFC Frank C. Rich, an instructor with Co. C, 2nd Bn., 210th Avn. Regt., Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA, uses the VIE to go over the T700 airflow theory of operation to a class of 15B Powerplant Repairer students. / 128th AVN BDE PHOTO BY SFC JAMES R. JOURNIGAN, JR For today’s infantry, it bridges...
Learn MoreOperation Family Caregiver
AAAA Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer and Chelsea Collins: After the tragedy of 9/11, legions of service members, Active Duty, National Guard, and Reservists were sent into battle. As they continue to transition home, however, many of these brave men and women face daunting circumstances. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter addresses attendees at the Uniting Forces To Support Military Caregivers Summit, July 29, 2016, at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia / RCI COURTESY PHOTO Of the more than 2.5 million deployed, more than 50,000 have been wounded in action. Additionally, severe effects of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic...
Learn MoreAviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) Update
Aviation Support / By LTC Kirk M. Ringbloom: Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) is a critical enabler for Army Aviation. The AGSE workforce takes great pride in being known as “The Crewchief’s PM” and delivers on the promise of the “right tools, right time, right place.” Aligned with the Chief of Staff of the Army’s #1 priority, readiness, our ultimate objectives are continuously improving Army Aviation readiness while reducing burden on maintainers. There are three core elements to the AGSE strategy: Sustain and Reset fielded systems to maintain combat power in the current fight. Modernize systems to mitigate obsolescence and...
Learn MoreBattle Damage Collection
Aviation Survivability / By CW3 Mark Chamberlin and Mr. Jeff Whitmire: Since World War I, military aviators have recognized the importance of collecting and analyzing battle damage in order to support aircraft upgrades, improve new aircraft design, and develop better survivability measures. During World War I, the role of aviation evolved from simple scouting to include more complex offensive operations. Scout planes, such as the French Blèriot XI, were gradually supplemented by planes designed to engage the enemy with direct fire, like the British Avro 504k. Both aircraft were quickly upgraded to improve their effectiveness. By collecting and analyzing battle...
Learn MoreRefocusing Army Aviation Survivability
Aviation Survivability / By CW5 Christopher A. Johnson: Evolution is required for today’s Army Aviation enterprise to succeed in the contemporary spectrum of conflict. In order to maintain precision support of U.S. Army ground forces, aviation elements must remain agile, adaptable, and adept. Hybrid warfare and the global security environment have reintroduced “Decisive Action” challenges to the Aviation enterprise. These include providing reach, protection, and lethality dominance to the nation’s premier land-warfare operators. To meet these demands, Army Aviation and the Survivability track will need to transform organizational roles; refocus combat readiness programs; pursue advanced acquisition technologies; and improve professional...
Learn MoreThe International Connection
President’s Cockpit / By BG E.J. Sinclair, Ret.: Our mission, as you know, is “AAAA Supporting the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family.” That said, supporting the U.S. Soldier sometimes takes us to interesting places indeed. AAAA President BG E.J. Sinclair presents an AAAA plaque of appreciation to General Milan Maxim, Chief of Defense – Slovak Republic, at the September 2016 Standardization Conference, “Road Map to Interoperability”, in Bratislava, Slovakia. / Photo courtesy of Slovokia Ministry of Defense These last few weeks have seen myself and our Executive Director Bill Harris in Bratislava, Slovakia to participate in the “NATO Standardization...
Learn MoreThe Degraded Visual Environment (DVE)
Aviation Support /By LTC David Weese: Degraded visual environment technology will provide Army Aviation the ability to maintain tactical advantage over adversaries by enabling rotary wing platforms to operate in all environmental conditions, even those compromised by natural or manmade obscurants. The Army is following a proven military acquisition model by capitalizing on new and maturing technologies. This approach mirrors the Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) model, which produced equipment that has provided the military with a significant advantage for decades. The required capability is identifying and displaying flight hazards, natural or manmade, so that crews can facilitate safe handling and...
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