Kidney Stones
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By MAJ Sonya Horwell, MD: Q: I had kidney stones before and I never want to have them again. What are they? What can I do to prevent them from ever happening again? Why do I have to go through more evaluations to get a waiver if they passed already? US ARMY PHOTO FS: Kidney stones are a common medical condition affecting 1 out of 11 people and are composed of naturally-occurring substances in the body: calcium, oxalate, cysteine, or uric acid. These chemicals can crystallize in the urine and become large in size, resulting...
Learn MoreNew Depot Technical Data
Tech Talk / By Mr. Kevin Rees: The Aviation Branch is in the midst of a major upgrade cycle for our aircraft systems. Current fielding efforts are underway for the UH-60M, CH-47F, and AH-64E. And additional upgrades are planned with the UH-60V and CH-47F block II. A technician works on a UH-60M blade at Corpus Christi Army Depot, TX. / AMRDEC AED PHOTO These aircraft, and their associated components, are often significantly different than their predecessors when it comes to the details of their design. They may have higher power engines, higher torque transmissions, wider chord blades, and/or single piece...
Learn MoreFrom NCOES to NCOPDS
128th Aviation BrigadeComponents Aviation / By CSM Drury M. Puckett III: Our Army is currently in the process of evolving from the old Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOES) to the new Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System (NCOPDS). USAACE NCOA Students performing litter carry event during Iron Squad Competition / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SFC STEPHANIE SMITH, USAACE NCOA, JBLE, VA The change is based on the strategy outlined in Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) command’s NCO 2020. The strategic vision of NCO 2020 is a “Noncommissioned Officer Development System integrated and synchronized in the development of the next generation of competent...
Learn MoreNo Boredom Here…
Reserve Components Aviation / By COL J. Ray Davis: Greetings again from your Army National Guard (ARNG). This month I’d like to review where we stand on the major initiatives that Guard Aviation is tackling, as part of the larger Army Aviation Enterprise. New Jersey Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawks with the 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion participate in a joint training airborne operation at Coyle Drop Zone, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March 12, 2016. / U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY MASTER SGT. MARK C. OLSEN Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI) ARI has been underway for quite some time, 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 MoreMilSpouse Clubs Continue to Inspire and Serve
Family Forum / By Allison Higgins, MPA: A recent luncheon with the Fort Rucker Community Spouses’ Club in Fort Rucker, Alabama, reminded me of the value of the Army Spousehood and the meaningful role we play in one another’s lives when we physically and genuinely connect. Spouses from the Fort Rucker Community Spouses’ Club met for a luncheon at the Enterprise Farmer’s Market last October. Allison Higgins (author) is pictured (kneeling left) and Paula Lundy, spouse of LTG Mike Lundy, immediate past commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker is seated 3rd from left....
Learn MoreA Future for Army SOF Fixed Wing
Opinion / By MAJ Nathaniel L. Swann: Under the Army Operational Concept (AOC), the Army is tasked, with the rest of the Joint Force, to “Win in a Complex World.” For the Army to “Win,” we are required to provide “multiple options, integrate the efforts of multiple partners, operate across multiple domains, and present our enemies and adversaries with multiple dilemmas.” Currently there is a potentially underutilized element of Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) that is missing out on a revolutionary opportunity to meet all of these requirements to help the Joint Force win…the C-27Js of the United States Army...
Learn MoreAir Mission Commanders
From the Field / By CPT James R. Antonides:Throughout my career, I have seen a distinct shift in the roles and responsibilities of who leads our missions and serves as air mission commanders. Have we replaced the value of doctrine and operational knowledge with tactical and technical experience? Have commanders abdicated responsibility for operational employment of their formations, and can they get it back? Should we revisit the roles we expect our platoon leaders, company commanders, and AMCs to fulfill in order to win the next fight? LTC Kelsey A. Smith, Senior Aviation Trainer, National Training Center Leadership from TF...
Learn MoreEvacuating, Treating, and Saving Lives on the Battlefield
MEDEVAC Proponency / By Mr. George W. Hildebrandt: The Army’s ability to provide pre-hospital critical care and trauma treatment on battlefield aeromedical evacuation platforms has evolved dramatically since 2012. In 2011, the Defense Health Board (now called the Defense Health Agency) published a memorandum documenting that U.S. Army flight medics lacked the appropriate skill level and training to properly treat trauma casualties evacuated off the battlefield. Prior to 2012, flight medics were Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic certified; since that time, the Army developed the Critical Care Flight Paramedic (CCFP) Program in response to emerging data from combat operations. That data...
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