Small UAS Human Factors Study
By CW2 Eric Roberts: Army aviation has a historical pattern of undergoing major changes, but the recent proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is a cogent variation from the typical airframe upgrades, modifications or unit restructuring to which we have become accustomed. While larger UAS systems like Shadow and Gray Eagle function under Army Aviation branch, one of the most abundant groups of UAS known as small UAS or (SUAS) are most often placed in the hands of the barely trained junior Infantry Soldiers. There is no denying that SUAS provides vital capabilities for Infantry commanders, yet, is the asset...
Learn MoreCommand Flight Inspection Services
Air Traffic Services / By Mr. Steven M. Haag: Have you ever found yourself in an aircraft cockpit and air traffic control (ATC) contacts you with a flight plan change because of two words “Flight Check?” That’s the call sign for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight inspection aircraft that periodically check airfield services and navigational aids (NAVAIDs) throughout the National Airspace System (NAS) and overseas in support of the nation’s global strategic mission. The FAA’s flight inspection mission is augmented by military formations from the Army and Air Force that are chartered to support U.S. military operations worldwide. SFC Clifford...
Learn MoreUAS: Programmatically Focused and Engaged
Unmanned Aircraft Systems / By COL Courtney Cote: We owe our absolute best to Soldiers and to operational commanders. The team in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Management Office (UAS PMO), in coordination with a vast and diverse community of stakeholders, remains programmatically focused and operationally engaged to deliver the absolute best support we can to our Soldiers and operational commanders. There are a lot of great things going on with UAS and with the Army’s UAS portfolio. Some of the major efforts to update the community on the UAS portfolio include driving toward a higher level of commonality between...
Learn MoreFuture AUS: A Soldier’s Best Friend
Unmanned Aircraft Systems / By COL Paul A. Cravey: To meet the demands of the future strategic environment the Army must be able to achieve an enduring requirement: rapidly deploy task-organized combined arms forces able to transition quickly and conduct operations of sufficient scale and ample duration to achieve strategic objectives. During the Vietnam era, to do this, the Army innovatively integrated an emerging technology of the time, rotary wing platforms, with ground maneuver forces and fire support to increase its reach, protection, and lethality. As it was in the 1970s, to dominate in today’s and tomorrow’s multi-domain environment, the...
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 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 More
