The History
History Clank Stories History / By Dario Politella: The term “Grasshopper” is no longer used with pride and affection of World War II days. Army Aviation today also frowns on the term “light” plane because the adjective no longer applies. But some of the old timers of the…Read More… Operation: URGENT FURY Part II: Plan of Action . . . the marshal observes that the boldest and most extended plans are generally the wisest and most successful. When we are determined upon war, . . . we should carry it on vigorously and without trifling. Napoleon Bonaparte[1]…Read More… Lincoln & Lowe Historical...
Learn MoreLeadership: Commitment vs. Compliance
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Eric C. Thom: Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. – Jack Welch Soldiers with the 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, look over notes during the second annual Atlas Warrior Competition, Fort Bragg, NC, March 12, 2015. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY CPT ADAN CAZAREZ, 82ND CBT. AVN. BDE. We all know that the Army’s definition of Leadership is “the process of influencing others by providing purpose, direction and motivation to accomplish the mission and...
Learn MoreType II Decompression Sickness
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By Dr. (LTC) Joseph Puskar: A recent case study of an air traffic controller who developed type II (neurologic) decompression sickness (DCS) after a series of four consecutive training SCUBA dives illustrates the dangers of DCS for military and civilian divers and aviators. Soldiers inside the hyperbaric chamber wearing oxygen masks.Aircraft designed and built specifically for military usage require lengthy schedules for design, manufacturing, and testing. A relatively small production quantity results in a high unit cost. When Army operational requirements can be satisfied by modifying a readily available COTS aircraft, the warfighter is provided...
Learn MoreThe Airworthiness Process
For Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Aircraft AMRDEC Tech Talk / By Dr. Robert Vaughan: The Army’s fleet of fixed wing aircraft is a testament to the Army’s ability to purchase Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type-certificated COTS aircraft, qualify extensive modifications under the Army’s Aviation Engineering Directorate (AED), and maintain these aircraft under unique and challenging operational requirements. Beech B-300 King Air / AMRDEC AED PHOTO Aircraft designed and built specifically for military usage require lengthy schedules for design, manufacturing, and testing. A relatively small production quantity results in a high unit cost. When Army operational requirements can be satisfied by modifying...
Learn MoreSimulation in Training
128th Aviation Brigade Update / By CPT Andrew T. Freeman: For this issue, I’ve asked our C/1-210th Aviation commander, CPT Freeman, to provide some insight as to how your school house uses a wide array of simulators and simulations to produce realistic and safe training. “Above the Best!” COL Rigole, Commander IMI and computer simulations provide an important bridge from the classroom to hands-on instruction. / 128th AVN BDE GRAPHIC Competent and qualified aircraft maintainers are not born, they are bred out of the regimented training courses at the 128th Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Advanced Individual Training...
Learn MoreAlways Looking for Better Comms…
Reserve Component Aviation Update / By COL Mark W. Weiss: Rare is the commander that’s satisfied with his or her unit’s communications. Whether it’s the reception quality on a high-freq radio, the interactions between staff and subordinate commands, or the network connectivity, we’re always seeking “better comms.” Army National Guard Professional Education Center (PEC), Camp Robinson, AR. / U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTOThe ARNG is no different – we’re always looking for better comms throughout the Guard’s Aviation Enterprise. I’ll report on two recent improvements. Domestic RadiosOne unique requirement of ARNG aircrews is that they be able to communicate effectively...
Learn MoreMentorship
Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch / By CW5 Allen R. Godfrey: Warrant officers embody the desired character, competence, and commitment of the Army Profession. Mentorship both to them and by them will enhance their professionalism. WO1 Daniel Ketchmark shares his knowledge of an Apache’s 30mm gun system with fellow students in the Aviation Basic Officer Leadership Course (Branch) (ABOLC-B) and Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course (AWOBC)./ U.S. ARMY AVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE COURTESY PHOTO According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. In...
Learn MoreWithin The Pause
USAACE Deputy Commanding General Update / By BG Benjamin F. Adams III: As the keys are passed for an issued aircraft between a flight operations specialist and a crew chief, there is a pause. The empty hook upon which those keys perched moments before now appears mutely beckoning for their return. Everything is on the counter, and the crew chief is asked to sign for survival radios, publications, and the keys. U.S. ARMY PEO AVIATION PHOTOOf all the accountable items, it is that one-inch ring with the aircraft keys that bears the baggage of the unasked, “Will you return them soon?”...
Learn MoreReflections from National Awardee Family Members
AAAA Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: As always, Nashville’s Opryland provided AAAA visitors a most memorable experience. This year I was very interested in hearing from the awardee family members and what this event meant to them. What follows is the first of a two part series. Joseph P. Cribbins Department of the Army Civilian of the Year— Mr. Ellis W. Golson “I am very proud of my husband’s accomplishments and the work he does. I am also very pleased that someone else noticed his commitment to Army aviation and the continued service that he dedicates himself to each...
Learn MoreMC-12 Game Changer
From the Field / By LTC Candice E. Frost and CW5 Jerry D. Hollars: One of the primary concerns of ground commanders is executing missions while protecting forces and equipment. Soldiers providing security while capturing or killing the enemy becomes a manpower-intensive effort and minimizes the commander’s primary mission effectiveness. In an atmosphere of military downsizing, aviation and intelligence must provide better intelligence oversight directly to ground commanders freeing up more manpower and resources. This is done through the expansion and modernization of its Aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (A-ISR) capabilities. Army Chief of Staff, GEN Raymond Odierno, is briefed...
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