State of the Branch
By MG David J. Francis I would like to start by thanking MG(R) Crosby, Bill Harris, Janis Arena, and the entire AAAA team for the extraordinary effort put into setting the conditions to allow this year’s Mission Solutions Summit to take place. It is long overdue that we bring the Army Aviation community and industry together to forge the future. CSM Wilson, CW5 Lewis and I are extremely proud of Army Aviation’s incredible performance over this difficult year. As the Army Aviation Community, you served our Nation exceptionally well and we thank you for your continued service as we build...
Learn MoreFrom the First Ladies of Army Aviation and AAAA
AAAA Family Forum / By Jodie Francis and Janice Crosby Over the years our Army Aviation First Ladies, Jodie Francis and Janice Crosby, have dedicated themselves to supporting our Aviation Soldiers and their Families in countless ways. I thank them for sharing their thoughts and I look forward to spending time with them and you this April in Nashville! – Judy Hello Aviation Families! It has certainly been too long since we have been able to get together face to face, and we are extremely excited to see all of you at the 2022 Aviation Mission Solutions Summit. AAAA has...
Learn More1st Air Cavalry Brigade Runs in German 5K Race
1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public AffairsStory by Capt. Taylor CriswellSunday, March 20, 2022#####By. Capt. Taylor Criswell BAD WINDSHEIM, Germany – U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, currently on rotation to Europe for Atlantic Resolve, took an opportunity last week to build community relations and internal comradery by entering the annual Bad Windsheim Wine Tower Run on March 20. Col. Reggie Harper, Command Sgt. Maj. Tyrone Murphy and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Durrer ran in the race, as did other leaders from the brigade. 1st Lt. Will Derrick of Charlie Company, 2-227, an avid athlete...
Learn MoreWelcome to the Summit!!
President’s Cockpit / MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired: Well, it is finally here, our first AAAA Annual Summit in three years. It has been some roller coaster ride through years of pandemic, shut-downs, masks, social distancing and all the rest. Let’s pray it is finally coming to a close. I want to first thank all our 18,000-plus members and especially our 79 chapters, for all you have done and endured during these most difficult times. You and your families have inspired all of us on the National Executive Board, and me personally as I have travelled to almost half our...
Learn MoreClarifying Misconceptions on COVID-19 Vaccines
Ask the Flight Surgeon – By MAJ Matthew R. Cooper, DO Let’s start with a brief synopsis of COVID-19. It is caused by a coronavirus, the same family of viruses that cause common colds. Coronaviruses cause upper respiratory infections spread by respiratory droplets (coughs, sneezes, residual mucous on hands, etc.). This is why mask wearing and hand washing are recommended to help prevent disease spread. While these prevention methods do work in reducing the spread of disease, they are not 100% effective. This is where the vaccines come into play. Currently there are three vaccines available to use against COVID-19....
Learn MoreFilling the Gaps for Army Spouse Unemployment
AAAA Family Forum / By Denise Lewis and Judy Konitzer Our Army is the largest branch in our Armed Forces, and traditionally has the most spouses who are affected by unemployment. Many of the barriers to spouse unemployment are frequent moves, remote duty stations, deployments, Soldier availability due to scheduling, childcare, and COVID uncertainty. Among military spouses, a staggering unemployment statistic discloses unemployment (24%) and underemployment (31-51%), with these rates at a hold for years despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the US Department of Defense to address the issue and a complex network of nonprofit support. As...
Learn MoreCentral Sleep Apnea and Flying
by MAJ Devon Greer, MD Q: I was recently diagnosed with Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) and have my upcoming medical examination. I’ve heard of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its impact on flight status, but what is Central Sleep Apnea? Will it affect my flight status? How is it treated? Does flying affect it? FS: Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) has many of the same symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but is significantly different. CSA occurs when the brain fails to tell the diaphragm and ribs to breathe, and that causes shortness of breath while sleeping. This tends to break up...
Learn MoreWhy We Win
Branch Chief’s Corner / By MG David J. Francis: The key component to the success of our military is the American Soldier. While modernization is an absolute imperative for our Army, it is the Soldier who is trained and ready to receive, use, and win with that new equipment that is essential. In the Aviation branch, our Soldiers fix, fly, and employ some of the most sophisticated aircraft in the world in support of the Ground Force Commander as a component of Combined Arms Maneuver. How we train, develop, and prepare our Soldiers, NCOs, Warrant Officers, and Officers is critical to provide...
Learn MoreOur Chapters – the Soul of AAAA
President’s Cockpit / MG Tim Crosby, U.S. Army Retired: Can you believe we are two months into 2022 already? The AAAA Annual Summit is just weeks away now and everyone is leaning forward as we get into the execution phase. I hope you are making plans to join us in Nashville. While the staff is laser focused on preparing for the Summit, I am still on my mission to visit all 79 chapters. Just after the new year, I hit five in one week: Iron Mike, Jimmy Doolittle, Savannah, Greater Atlanta, and Follow Me! My next swing will be through...
Learn MoreImportance of Sustainment Modernization at the Operator Level
Aviation Branch Maintenance Officer Update – By CW5 Patrick O’Neill As units return from a reduced operational period over the holidays, maintaining aircraft readiness can be challenging. With reduced manpower, typical winter weather, and the current COVID-19 supply-chain disruptions, having a maintenance strategy to bridge these sustainment gaps and meet the eventual surge of flying hours is critical. What is also critical, but a little more opaque, is a strategic view on maintaining current and future fleet aircraft in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) in a Multi-Domain fight. As we modernize our enduring aviation fleet and prepare for Future Vertical...
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