‘Father of Aviation Medicine’ Lyster Army Health Clinic Keeps Warfighters Ready to Fly
Story by Janet A. Aker Before the U.S. Air Force was established in 1947, the U.S. Army owned the skies. The ground and air personnel had various designations going back to 1918. From 1926-1947, it was the U.S. Army Air Forces, which was preceded by the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War I. It was the Air Corps that had command and control of aerial combat. Brig. Gen. Theodore Lyster, a U.S. Army physician, pioneered aviation medicine and physical standards for pilots and crews in the run-up to and participation of America in World War I. He was selected...
Learn MoreOperation Skyfall: Apache Crews Refine Air‑to‑Air Precision Against UAS Threats
Photo by Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, Germany – U.S. Army AH‑64E Apache Guardian helicopter assigned to 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, engages an unmanned aerial system during air‑to‑air training as part of Operation Skyfall at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, March 18, 2026. Operation Skyfall is a 12th CAB‑led training exercise designed to advance the Eastern Flank Defense Line concept by demonstrating the brigade’s counter‑unmanned aerial systems capabilities. Through modernization, experimentation, and refined C‑UAS tactics, 12th CAB strengthens its operational readiness and enhances the U.S. Army’s ability to deter aggression, counter emerging threats, and support...
Learn MoreHSC and 1-228 conduct Sling Load Training
Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Merchak U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Headquarter Support Company, Army Forces Battalion, attach cargo to a UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to the 1st Battalion 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo, during sling load training at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, March 4, 2026. Sling loading allows Joint Task Force-Bravo aviation assets to move heavy equipment, supplies, and mission-essential cargo to locations where traditional transportation may not be possible, enabling rapid response to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and contingency operations across Central America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Merchak)
Learn MoreIvy Sting 5
Photo by Pfc. Thomas Nguyen Pvt. 1st Class Ty’Anthony Johnson, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator assigned to 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, inquires about aircraft updates during Ivy Sting 5 on Fort Carson, Colorado, March 4, 2026. The capability supported Ivy Sting 5 by feeding persistent aerial surveillance into Next Generation Command and Control systems, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making across the battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Thomas Nguyen)
Learn MoreFully Engaged in Army Aviation’s Continuous Transformation
Our annual Army Aviation Warfighting Summit is almost upon us! From April 15 to 17, 2026 the entire Army Aviation community will gather in Nashville, TN at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The Summit is the one time each year when all elements of Army Aviation, from Sustainment to Acquisition; Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, Retired, members of industry and even cadets and ROTC students gather with our Army Leadership. It is another example of AAAA executing its mission of taking care of Army Aviation Soldiers and Families through our four pillars of Networking, Recognition, Voice and Support. AAAA and Army...
Learn More“No Mercy” Battalion Spearheads Aviation Modernization with Apache Helicopter Transfer
Story by Capt. Andrew Lightsey IV FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – 1-101 Attack Battalion (1-101st AB) “No Mercy” reached a milestone in Army Aviation Transformation by successfully transferring the first two AH-64E Apache Version 4 (v4). Helicopters to the 1-149th Attack Battalion (1-149th AB) of the Texas and Mississippi Army National Guards on Feb. 3, 2026. “It was a great experience watching the maintainers in our company work alongside our teammates in the National Guard,” said 1st Lt. Kamrin Rosling, a platoon leader in 1-101 AB. “The process went smoothly as Soldiers from the supply and maintenance sections came together to...
Learn MoreCorpus Christi Army Depot Launches First Organic Composite Blade Repair Program
Story by Kathleen “Kat” Pettaway-Clarke Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas–The enduring fleet of the Army’s Blackhawk helicopter ensures a continuous workload for the Corpus Christi Army Depot in South Texas, particularly in the remanufacture of legacy platforms. In response to this sustained demand, CCAD has launched the first organic composite repair program for helicopter blades in the United States. Corpus Christi Army Depot Commander COL Kevin Considine said, “Composite blades aren’t going anywhere. CCAD is a very important part of the industrial mix, and the depot takes pride in our products.” This initiative is a critical component of the depot’s...
Learn More1 SOW, 160 SOAR (Airborne) Conduct Joint HAAR Exercise
U.S. Air Force pilots assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing fly an MC-130J Commando II during a joint helicopter air-to-air refueling exercise above the Southeastern United States, Jan. 23, 2026. HAAR serves to familiarize special operations for endurance flight missions that require a lethal, agile and forward-deployable force ready to defend the Nation at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner)
Learn MoreU.S. Army Best Drone Warrior Competition
The U.S. Army Best Drone Warrior Competition highlights the Army’s elite drone operators — trained to be lethal, adaptable, and ready for global operations — proving the readiness of our combat formations and emphasizing T2COM’s work to transform how the Army generates and delivers war-winning capability. The Aviation Center of Excellence is the Army’s hub for developing aviation warfighting capability — where aviators, aircrew, and unmanned aircraft operators are trained, tested, and prepared to operate in complex, contested environments worldwide. AVCOE integrates doctrine, training, leader development, and modernization to ensure aviation formations remain lethal, adaptive, and synchronized with multi-domain operations....
Learn MoreHappy New Year!
AAAA begins this new year in great shape with membership near record levels of over 20,000 members and our strongest ever financial balance sheet. The future also looks bright as we prepare for the rapidly approaching Army Aviation Warfighting Summit April 15-17, 2026 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. By the time you read this I will have returned from visiting our Badger Chapter in Wisconsin for their annual ball and will have also attended the Aviation Senior Leaders Conference at Fort Rucker, AL. In many respects these two very different events show the breadth and depth of AAAA’s...
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