The 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 MoreMulti-Component and Joint Training
Reserve Component Aviation / By BG Scott R. Morcomb: In today’s global environment, our nation relies most heavily on her Army to support our national and international interests. This call to action can only be achieved through an unshakeable commitment, on the part of our Army’s leaders, to maintaining a combat ready posture at all times. Flight crews from the 8-229th Assault Helicopter Battalion conduct sling load operations with elements from the 1-163rd Field Artillery Regiment of the Indiana National Guard. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY RENEE RHODES, FORT KNOX VISUAL INFORMATION As an enduring operational force, The U.S. Army...
Learn MoreIndividual Soldier Survivability
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Gregory M. Chambers: This issue of the AAAA magazine is focused on survivability, mainly how we make our aircraft more survivable in a complex combat environment, whether it’s a radar threat, an infrared threat or a countermeasure to enable our aircraft to defeat complex systems in order to deliver our combat load to its desired location. Survival Training at South Camp, Fort Rucker, AL January 2016. / U.S. ARMY PHOTOS BY SSG BURCHAM We have added phenomenal equipment, technology and systems to our aircraft and worked closely with industry to protect our aircraft...
Learn MoreCulture Change for Future Aviation Combat
Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch / By CW5 Joseph B. Roland: To effectively support unified land warfare forces in the future, Aviation elements will require innovative organizations with multi-function capabilities. Our adversaries continue to adapt and introduce multiple Decisive Action challenges for the Army Aviation enterprise. U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopter pilots assigned to 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, land at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, Sept. 29, 2016. The aircraft will be part of Raptor Fury, a month-long exercise to validate 16th CAB’s mission readiness with the support of nearly 1,500...
Learn MoreExpanding our Aviation Mindset
Aviation Branch Chief / By MG William K. Gayler: Although capabilities to enhance our survival in combat are often associated with materiel solutions, or “things,” it is the combination of these “things” with trained Soldiers armed with knowledge of best practices that enable us to fight and win in complex environments. A U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion (General Support), 169th Aviation Regiment, Georgia Army National Guard, discharges flares before landing. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT ADAN CAZAREZ When Army aviators hear the word “survivability” they often equate the term with “ASE” – Aircraft Survivability Equipment. As...
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...
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