Reformatting the Hard Drive
Simulation & Training within the Attack Aviation Community / By CW4 Scott H. Durrer: Since it was first published in the March 2014 Flightfax Newsletter, “Defragging the Hard Drive” has certainly inspired a tremendous amount of discussion regarding Army Aviation training. These discussions have resulted in the Branch taking a hard, focused look into what subjects we teach and how much emphasis we should place on these subjects. The preponderance of the discussions have focused on which areas should be given less emphasis. Only recently have we started asking ourselves into which subjects can we invest the time gained by...
Learn MoreAVCATT – Past, Present, and Future
Simulation & Training / By Ms. Christina Bell, CW5 Michael S. Kelley, and CW4 (Ret.) John Snow: CW5 Kelley’s Observations Some say that since its initial fielding in 2001, the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) has garnered a negative reputation. I remember my first AVCATT experience and those memories are not positive. The helmets were heavy, limited in size, and had to be forced on my head. The visuals were not well aligned and to many people, it caused nausea from the word go. This created a rather uncomfortable first impression that stuck with me the majority of my career....
Learn MoreFlying to Glory Over the Top
AAAA Family Forum / By Sadie McCurry: “Hey honey, I got my orders today!” “Oh that’s great, babe. Where does the Army want to send us now?” “I’m so excited; we’ll get to see beautiful scenery and wildlife. We can take cruises, see foreign cities, explore historical sites, and get the kids involved in all kinds of outdoor activities.” “Um, babe…where are we going?” “Fort Drum, New York!”Silence… 10th Cbt. Avn. Bde. Family Readiness Group Advisors show their Aviation pride at a Spouse Leadership Symposium on Ft. Drum, NY. Pictured are (l-r) Kelly Hill, Christie Hurst, Erin Thornburg, Manda Martini,...
Learn MoreTravel Medicine
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By Dr. (LTC) Joseph Puskar: Q: I’m getting ready for an adventure trip vacation to Vietnam and Thailand. What health precautions should I take there? FS: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a website with valuable information for international travelers including immunization requirements for prevalent infectious diseases, and other health risks. Most travel agencies and medical clinics under-emphasize the issue of personal security. The CDC website has a link to some good articles that cover many useful personal security and health tips for adventure travelers in general and for particular countries. Mosquito-borne diseases of...
Learn MoreCSI at a Glance
AMRDEC Tech Talk / By Mrs. Quintessa Thomas: When flying, the last thing you want to hear is “Oh crap!” That means trouble and the pucker factor has been introduced. Did someone improperly install the Jesus Nut? Is a misplaced socket tearing up the engine? Or, is a leak starving the transmission because someone erroneously accepted a “nick, dent, or scratch?” These are the last things on pilots’ minds when trying to figure out how to safely land a crippled aircraft (everyone has done their job right… right?). But, these are a few things that can put them in a...
Learn MoreBlack Hawk Maintenance Training
128th Aviation Brigade Update / By SFC Joshua J. Fulghum: Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Brigade located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE), Virginia has long been the premier, worldwide training facility for UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance. Students in the 15T10 (UH-60 A/L/M helicopter repairer) course removing/replacing stabilator actuators in one of the new hangars at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA. / 128th AVN BDE COURTESY PHOTO Over the past year, the company has made some significant changes to keep pace with the fielding of the UH-60M model airframe. Updates to Black Hawk maintenance training at JBLE include...
Learn MoreThe Last Rotation
By CPT Charles N. Hill: At the end of Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation 15-06, one of the first scout helicopter pilots and some of the last shared the same ground and air. In April 2015, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior completed its final JRTC rotation, marking the end of the scout helicopter at the combat training centers. LTC (Ret.) Hugh L. Mills Jr. (right) stands in formation with CPT Greg Marsh, commander, and the Soldiers of Bravo Troop, 6-6th CAV following the final flight of the last Kiowa Warrior rotation at the JRTC, Fort Polk, LA, April 28, 2015....
Learn MoreTransforming for the Future
U.S. Army Reserve Aviation / By BG Troy D. Kok: 2025 may be ten years away according to a calendar, but in terms of force modernization, it is right around the corner. In preparation for an unknown and ever evolving geopolitical landscape, the United States Army Reserve’s sole operational Aviation command is posturing itself for continued success in the upcoming decade. SGT Robert Self, an AH-64 Armament Electrical Avionic Systems repairer with Company D, 1st Bn., 158th Avn. Regt. “Ghost Riders,” loads rockets into an AH-64 Apache during a gunnery range at North Fort Hood, Texas, June 2, 2015. The...
Learn MoreTraining to Task in Varying Conditions
Branch Command Sergeant Major / By CSM Eric C. Thom: There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. – Colin Powell The Army’s Training Concept (ATC) 2012-2020 was designed to strike a balance between operational and institutional training, and offers flexibility, efficiencies, and a broad range of training capabilities for leaders to maintain an agile, ready Army in a period of reduced resourcing. Soldiers from Delta Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, assess casualties while recovering a downed aircraft during Decisive Action Rotation 15-03...
Learn MoreSimulation Integration
Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course / By CW5 Allen R. “Randy” Godfrey, CW4 Shawn N. Paris, and CW3 Charles L. Brown: The current Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Course (AWOAC) is a distinct improvement from AWOAC past. There are now two distinct resident phases. Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) Master Control Station operations during an exercise at the Seneff building, Fort Rucker, AL. The first is the warrant officer mid-grade learning subjects required for all warrant officers. The second is the technical specific track phase. This phase allows our aviation warrant officers to build on training and education received in...
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