Virginia National Guard Flight Crews Join Flyover Honoring U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Navy flight crews visit with Vietnam veterans following a flyover of a memorial service honoring Capt. Allen Weseleskey Aug. 16, 2024, at Chambers Field in Norfolk, Virginia. Weseleskey, and many of the veterans who visited the air crews, were assigned to the Helicopter Light Attack Squadron 3, or HAL-3, nicknamed the Seawolves, a quick reaction, armed helicopter squadron during the Vietnam War. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
Learn MoreNational Executive Group Annual Review
In May or June after the Summit each year, the National Executive Group gathers at the Connecticut AAAA National Office to review and assess our organization’s posture and status, and to discuss and chart the next couple of years activities and initiatives. The NEG consists of four elected officers: me as president, MG (Ret.) Wally Golden as senior vice president, BG (Ret.) Tim Edens as treasurer and MG (Ret.) Todd Royar as secretary. It also includes our two appointed vice presidents – CW4 (Ret.) Becki Chambers, VP for membership, and LTC (Ret.) Jan Drabczuk, VP for chapters. This year after...
Learn MoreSouth Carolina Army National Guard Apaches make first appearance at Camp Ripley for Iowa XCTC rotation
CAMP RIPLEY, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES 07.27.2024 Story by Spc. Armani Wilson 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. – Six AH-64 Apache helicopter crews from the 1st Attack Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, 59th Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard, traveled cross-country to Camp Ripley, Minnesota, to participate in the Iowa Army National Guard’s eXportable Combat Training Capabilities (XCTC) rotation from the beginning of July to August 2024. The journey from South Carolina to Minnesota took two days, marking the first time Apaches have trained at Camp Ripley. The pilots and aircrew operated around the clock, supporting the 2nd...
Learn More3MDTF Participates in RIMPAC 2024 Sinking Exercise
HAWAII, UNITED STATES Courtesy Story U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, KAUAI, HAWAII – 3d Multi-Domain Task Force (3d MDTF), partnered with 1st MDTF, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (25th CAB), and the 5th Surface to Ship Field Artillery Regiment of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) Western Army participated in a sinking exercise (SINKEX) from July 11-12, 2024, as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise. 3d MDTF and the JGSDF provided tactical command and control of land-based fires during the SINKEX from a bilateral fire support coordination center (BFSCC) while 1st...
Learn MoreUH-60 Black Hawk Crew Chief Represents the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade at the Farnborough International Airshow
UNITED KINGDOM Story by 1st Sgt. Justin A. Naylor 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment When his parents named him Tydal Wave Sugar, they had to know he was destined to make a splash. Now, a UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief serving with the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Spc. Tydal Sugar is part of a select group of 12th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers taking part in the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, United Kingdom, July 22-26, 2024. “It’s always been a dream of mine to go to the U.K.,” said Sugar, a Clearwater, Florida, native. “I was so excited. You can...
Learn MoreNational Executive Group Annual Review
In May or June after the Summit each year, the National Executive Group gathers at the Connecticut AAAA National Office to review and assess our organization’s posture and status, and to discuss and chart the next couple of years activities and initiatives. The NEG consists of four elected officers: me as president, MG (Ret.) Wally Golden as senior vice president, BG (Ret.) Tim Edens as treasurer and MG (Ret.) Todd Royar as secretary. It also includes our two appointed vice presidents – CW4 (Ret.) Becki Chambers, VP for membership, and LTC (Ret.) Jan Drabczuk, VP for chapters. This year after...
Learn MoreIdaho Army National Guard Rescues Injured Hiker Near Stanley
The Idaho Army National Guard’s State Aviation Group assisted Custer County Search and Rescue with the rescue of an injured hiker July 6 on Thompson Peak of the Sawtooth Range, outside of Stanley, Idaho. The hiker, a 19-year-old male, suffered an ankle injury following a fall while rock-climbing near the mountain range’s highest peak, located approximately 75 miles outside of Boise. “Our crew did an incredible job under some very challenging environmental conditions,” said Capt. Katherine Smith, commander of Det. 1, Company G 1st of the 168th Aviation Regiment. “The rescue required a great deal of crew coordination, as well...
Learn More2024 Summit an Outstanding Success!
To all our members, it is so great to be back to the business of executing AAAA presidential duties after addressing a pesky medical issue for the past few months. So much so, that I had the honor and privilege of attending a day (May 30) of the ARSOAC and 160th SOAR activities at Fort Campbell, KY, which included a special and impactful Memorial Service where they honor their fallen. Many thanks to BG Wilkenson and COL Waleski for having me be among their amazing community of Night Stalkers… and for the opportunity to induct Mr. Steve Blasey into the...
Learn MoreSoaring at the Summit in Denver
Welcome everyone to the 2024 AAAA Annual Mission Solution Summit! Our Branch Chief, MG Mac McCurry, and the entire Army Aviation Leadership will be bringing you all up to date on everything from training and operations, to acquisition and sustainment, special operations, Reserve and National Guard priorities and so much more all under the theme “Transforming Aviation Warfighting – Strengthening Our Sacred Trust.” It is with great regret that I’ve had to ‘take a knee’ due to a medical condition, and as a result am unable to attend and participate in what I know will be an incredible Mission Solutions...
Learn MoreOn Final to the Annual Summit
It is hard to believe that another month has flown by. As you read this, we will have convened a meeting with the National Executive Group and our committee chairs to review several areas, importantly our efforts at developing an organizational strategic plan, and to set expectations for the upcoming National Executive Board meeting in April at the Summit. More to follow, but please check the AAAA website to make sure you know who the committee chairs are and get your issues to them; they are your conduit to each mission area from membership to awards, and Hall of Fame...
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