Training Deliberate Attack Operations in Decisive Action
Joint Readiness Training Center / By LTC Bryan Chivers and MAJ Adam Camarano: The Attack has long been the defining offensive task for Army Aviation. Today we find ourselves in an interesting transition period where current conflict calls for maintaining proficiency in the current era of team tactics while the Army focuses on training for the decisive action fight, a more deliberate employment of AH-64s at the platoon and higher level. Maintaining proficiency in two distinctly different mission sets is an incredible challenge, and commanders must strike a delicate balance between training for the current fight and being prepared to...
Learn MoreNational Training Center – Evolving the DATE
Eagle Team Update / By LTC Zachary Mundell: The Eagle Team at the National Training Center (NTC) continues to focus on providing world-class training to aviation professionals. Our charter remains to coach, teach and mentor aviation task forces on the application and execution of joint and multinational decisive action aviation operations supporting unified land operations in a realistic, competitive environment. Our aim is to improve the warfighting skills, integration, and effectiveness of multi-functional aviation task forces as they prepare for combat. Every unit that trains at the NTC will leave better prepared for the reality of combat in today’s increasingly...
Learn MoreSkin Cancer
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ Jason MacDonnell, M.D: Q: Should I be concerned about sun exposure in myself and family and what should I do for sun protection? U.S. Army soldiers participate in a 2.35-mile run to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 235th birthday on Forward Operating Base Farah, Afghanistan, June 14, 2010. The Soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Senior Airman Rylan Albright FS: With summer in full swing, taking a second to address the risk of sun exposure and skin...
Learn MoreThe Way Ahead
Aviation Branch Chief Update / By MG William K. Gayler: I am absolutely honored and humbled to serve as the Army Aviation Branch Chief and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. I look forward to serving with the great Soldiers and civilians from across the enterprise as we tackle the challenges facing the branch and our Army and forge a path to the future. The strength of the branch is not our aircraft, but the outstanding people who fly, fix and support Army Aviation operations across the globe. Building and sustaining readiness is the primary objective...
Learn MoreMission Accomplished!
President’s Cockpit / By BG E.J. Sinclair, Ret.: The 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta once again brought our whole Army Aviation Community together for a few days of Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support events to make sure we were on track to make our mission statement real for you. AAAA National President and Executive Director, BG (Ret.) E.J. Sinclair and Bill Harris, respectively, present COL (Ret.) Harry Townsend with the Art and Dotty Kesten Founders’ Award, Apr. 29th at the 2016 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Atlanta, GA while his friend, Ann Burke (seated next to...
Learn More2016-2017 ARMY AVIATION Photography Contest
1st Place – “Black Thunder” by John M. Dibbs, Redmond, Washington, June 16, 2015; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington A mighty Guns-a-Go-Go MH-47 trains in the twilight near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. 2nd Place – “Help Has Arrived” by Sergeant Jose D. Ramirez III, 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas, November 9, 2016; Fort Bliss, Texas Soldiers from 1st Armored Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade conduct 9-line medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) training at Fort Bliss, Texas. 3rd Place – “Approach into Diamond Head Crater,” by First Lieutenant Clayton C. Gorton, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, Wheeler Army Airfield,...
Learn MoreDAMO-AV – Back from the Brink
Aviation Leadership / By COL John J. Lindsay and MAJ Stephen T. Schmidt: Due to a series of efficiency initiatives and budget-driven headquarters reductions, Department of the Army G-3/5/7 Aviation (DAMO-AV) began FY15 with its back against the wall. As of 1 October 2015, the TDA had been cut to zero and the directorate was kept afloat through a G1-signed memorandum authorizing 16 directed military over-strength positions. From the outside, the Directorate of Army Aviation appeared to be “business as usual” but the future was far from certain. The Pentagon / U.S. ARMY PHOTO; Below: General Hamilton H. Howze, the...
Learn MoreEquipping as a Pillar of Readiness
PEO Aviation / By BG Robert L. Marion: Without question, Aviation is recognized as a critical enabler and maneuver capability when executing effective combined arms operations across the full spectrum of operations. In a similar vein, Equipping is recognized as one of the Army’s four pillars of readiness, and a critical enabler of the Army’s number one priority. Where some might see modernization and readiness as competitors in a resource constrained environment, it is more important to understand how modernization and readiness go hand-in-hand. Our ongoing modernization efforts guarantee that our Soldiers are best equipped and ready to defeat hybrid...
Learn MoreCanadian Chinooks Provide Heavy Lift Support
By CPT Renner H. Hall: During the fall of 2015, two CH-147s and 40 airmen from the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 450th Tactical Helicopter Squadron (THS) partnered with 3rd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade’s (CAB) general support aviation battalion (GSAB) for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division’s Joint Operation Access Exercise (JOAX) 16-01 at Fort Bragg, NC. The operation was unique as 3-82 GSAB’s organic Chinook company – save one lieutenant, two instructor pilots and a couple of maintainers – were deployed to the Joint Readiness Training Center. Essentially, America’s Guard of Honor...
Learn MoreA Historic New Chapter at Fort Rucker
News Spotlight / By CPT Matt E. Hayden and CPT Ronald W. Braasch III: Fort Rucker made history on January 8th, 2016. As flight school class 16-005 woke up and drove to their designated parking spot in the darkness, waiting for their bus to pick them up and take them to Cairns Army Airfield (AAF), it was like every other morning for primary students for the past 20 years. Once the students went to their classroom, completed morning questions, and confirmed performance planning and weather, they grabbed their flight gear and signed for the aircraft keys. The difference is these...
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