Scouting and Retaining Night Stalkers
Special Operations Aviation / By MAJ Jason J. Dumser and CW4 Benjamin S. Arps: The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR (A)) has the unique challenge to recruit, assess, select, train, and employ a lethal and agile aviation organization within U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in support of Joint Special Operations Forces (JSOF). To best identify the right personnel who will succeed, the Regiment underwent a comprehensive review of its recruiting and assessment procedures. Similar to college or professional sports programs, the goal of the Regiment is to identify or “scout” those personnel with the requisite attributes for success...
Learn MoreThe Secret Capability Behind the 160th
Special Operations Aviation / By COL Michael J. Hertzendorf and MAJ Michael C. Athanasakis: When you mention the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR) (A), people may think of advanced aircraft with unique capabilities like multi-mode radar or in-flight aerial refuel probes. While these capabilities are important, the truly unique capability within the organization is the culture that is embodied by the unit’s Soldiers and leaders. The first Special Operations Force (SOF) truth states “humans are more important than hardware” and nowhere is this more important than in the 160th SOAR (A). Night Stalkers begin to learn the Regiment’s...
Learn MoreElectronic Cigarettes
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Scott A. Cygan, D.O.: Q: Doc, I’m thinking of trying E-Cigarettes. Are these safer than conventional cigarettes, and are they able to help me quit smoking? FS: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may have heard that smoking is hazardous to your health, but do you know just how hazardous? Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Tobacco products are associated with heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, obstructive pulmonary disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Approximately 480,000 deaths per year are attributed to the nicotine habit....
Learn MoreAirworthiness Processes
AMRDEC Tech Talk / By Mr. Robert Copeland and Mr. John Stewart: Incremental advancements in technologies afford new capabilities for our warfighters. However, on occasion, the advances create an opportunity to delve into whole new environments. AMRDEC AED PHOTO In 1929 Jimmy Doolittle demonstrated the ability to take-off, fly and land using only instruments. Forty years ago, we tackled the night and came out with the first electro-optical forward looking infrared vision system. Soon after, we owned the night and even now we continue to evolve, mature, and upgrade that capability. Even in the 21st century, we are still bound...
Learn MoreAIT Instructors Teach More Than Just MOS Skills
128th Aviation Brigade / By SFC Douglas J. Patterson: The American Soldier comes from all walks of life, from every different region, culture, religion, that makes up our great nation and some even come from other countries. The author teaching Ohms Law to students during the Basic Electronics Training block of the 15Y AIT course. / 128th AVN BDE PHOTO BY SSG RANDY BARTZ Soldiers hold a special bond with each other, especially in their initial entry training when civilians are learning to become Soldiers. I am sure most all of us can remember that one drill sergeant or AIT...
Learn MoreLast Reserve Flight of the AH-64D Apache
Reserve Components Aviation / By CW5 John W. Bailey: Early on a Sunday morning in March, Soldiers, both current and former, along with family and community members met at the Lone Star Executive Airport in Conroe, Texas. Soldiers from 1-158th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) stand in formation as five AH-64 Apache helicopters conduct a ceremonial “fly-over,” in Conroe, Texas, to commemorate the final flight of the Apache helicopter in Army Reserve, Mar. 6, 2016. / U.S. ARMY RESERVE PHOTO BY CPT MATTHEW ROMAN, 11TH TAC PAO The reason for this gathering was to be, in some way, a part of...
Learn MoreNCO Role in Mission Command
ARSOAC Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Stephen H. Helton: Future conflict is characterized in current Army doctrine as unknown and unknowable. It is the ambiguous, complex nature of current and future warfare that mandates agile, adaptive, and capable leaders who can exercise disciplined initiative in a fluid situation. Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey talks to 3/160th SOAR(A) Soldiers after an exercise at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia./ ARSOAC COURTESY PHOTO The empowered ARSOA NCO is the critical link to mission command under these conditions. Physical fitness, technical expertise, tactical acumen, creative problem solving, exceptional teamwork, and...
Learn MoreARSOAC and the Army Aviation Enterprise
ARSOAC Commander Update / By BG Erik C. Peterson: Thank-you once again to AAAA and our Aviation Branch leadership for the opportunity to share some thoughts and perspectives from the Army Special Operations Aviation team. An MH-47G conducts helocast operations for Special Forces Soldiers. / U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION COMMAND PHOTO I’ll begin by enthusiastically welcoming our relatively new Aviation Branch leadership – MG Bill Gayler, CW5 Joe Roland, and CSM Greg Chambers – and reaffirming the Army Special Operations Aviation Command’s (ARSOAC) commitment as an active partner in the Army Aviation enterprise – contributing to readiness, providing vital...
Learn MoreChapter Leadership
President’s Cockpit / By BG E.J. Sinclair, Ret.: Our 73 local chapters are the centerpiece of AAAA. The National Executive Group works hard to maintain a close relationship and support the local chapters. AAAA Executive Director Bill Harris (standing with mic) answers a question at the Chapter Officer Workshop, Thursday, April 28, 2016, during the AAAA Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta, GA. / AAPI PHOTO BY RENÉ BIDEZ From the Mount Rainier Chapter to Rio Grande Chapter, to the Air Assault Chapter and their very successful House of Heroes effort, your National Executive Group has been very busy...
Learn MoreManaging Enlisted Experience
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Gregory M. Chambers: Managing our enlisted experience in today’s Army is imperative to our future combat success. The culture in our units has to foster an environment in which Soldiers want to learn, to progress and to become professional Soldiers. Members of the 1st Air Cav remove an aft rotor blade from a CH-47 Chinook during maintenance at Ft. Hood, TX April 5, 2016./U.S. ARMY PHOTO Documenting this experience is essential as Soldiers move around in our branch. Mid-grade leaders should have the ability to quickly assess experience on newly assigned Soldiers in...
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