Alaska Army National Guard Aircrew Conducts Medical Evacuation from Scammon Bay Amid Severe Weather
Story by Alejandro Pena BETHEL, Alaska — Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to A Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion transported a patient requiring advanced medical care from Scammon Bay to Bethel, Nov. 18, after severe weather grounded civilian air ambulances for two consecutive days. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center initiated the mission following a request for assistance from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Medical Center. The patient, a Scammon Bay resident, had sustained a hip injury that exceeded the treatment capabilities of the local clinic. Initial attempts to evacuate the patient via a civilian air ambulance were halted due to...
Learn MoreTwo Army Aviators Awarded Soldier’s Medal
Story by Kelly Morris Two Aviation Center of Excellence Soldiers received the Soldier’s Medal during a ceremony at Fort Rucker, Ala., Sept. 30. Capt. Gabriel A. Coppinger, who commands Company B, 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shane T. Hawkins, who serves as an instructor pilot at 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment, received the award presented by Brig. Gen. Kenneth C. Cole, Aviation Center of Excellence deputy commanding general. The aviators disregarded their own safety and attempted to rescue fellow Soldiers during a multi-ship aviation mishap in Alaska in April of 2023 that sadly resulted in...
Learn More2-159th Attack Battalion Activates, Continuing 12th CAB’s Attack Aviation Legacy in Europe
Story by Capt. Lydia LaRue ANSBACH, Germany – The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) has reflagged its attack battalion from 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack), to 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment (Attack), effective immediately, Oct. 14, 2025. The activation of the “Gunslingers” Battalion is largely a change in name-only for the 12th CAB, part of the wider Army Aviation Transformation Initiative (AATI). This action returns the 1-3 Attack Battalion lineage to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Stewart, Georgia, while re-activating a historic unit name for the U.S. Army’s attack presence in Europe. “We are redesignating back to...
Learn More3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Assumes Aviation Mission in Europe
Story by Capt. Lydia Laga BOLESŁAWIEC, Poland – The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, assumed authority of U.S. Army aviation operations in Europe from the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade during a transfer of authority ceremony held in Bolesławiec, Poland on October 28, 2025. This rotational handover underscores V Corps’ commitment to warfighting readiness, providing combat credible forces equipped with attack aviation as a cornerstone capability to remain lethal and agile in deterring potential adversaries. “I think the one thing that 3rd CAB and 3rd Infantry Division brings to V Corps during this rotation is the absolute...
Learn MoreArmy Accelerates Capability to the Force with a Rapid Fielding Effort for Chinook Block II
The decision authorizes the procurement of Block II aircraft in FY25 and FY26. Combined with previously approved Congressionally directed procurements, the Army will field CH-47F Block II helicopters to two Combat Aviation Brigades, modernizing the Army’s heavy-lift fleet for future large-scale combat operations. The CH-47F Block II upgrades existing CH-47F Block I aircraft through a recapitalization process. The Block II significantly improves the CH-47F fleet, giving commanders increased payloads, extended range, and improved sustainability to create the standoff areas demanded by contested logistics environments. With an increased maximum gross weight of 54,000 pounds, the aircraft permits operational commanders to move...
Learn MoreTask Force Medical and Task Force Aviation Strengthen Support at Camp Butmir, Bosnia
Story by Spc. Kameron Spencer In the rolling hills of Sarajevo, where NATO missions converge to ensure stability and security, two specialized U.S. Army teams came together with one mission in mind: to care for soldiers and strengthen multinational readiness. Task Force Medical and Task Force Aviation not only provided essential healthcare to American troops stationed at Camp Butmir but also reinforced medical evacuation capabilities through training and partnership with regional allies. For years, U.S. personnel at Camp Butmir faced a two-day journey to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, to receive medical services. This deployment changed that. Task Force Medical, coordinated by...
Learn MoreIdaho Army National Guard Conducts 12 Search and Rescue Missions
Story by Maj. Robert Taylor The Idaho Army National Guard’s State Aviation Group conducted a dozen successful search and rescue missions throughout 2025. “Our Citizen-Soldiers stand ready to move out at moment’s notice when partner agencies request help, especially when our fellow Idahoans’ welfare hangs in the balance,” said Idaho Army National Guard commander Brig. Gen. Cole Packwood. “I’m very proud of all the Soldiers involved in both of these operations and am truly impressed by the exceptional skills and teamwork it takes to execute missions like these so flawlessly.” As of October 3, Idaho’s citizen-Soldiers assisted civilian authorities with...
Learn MorePoland’s Apache Helicopter Program Takes Flight with Help from U.S. Army Aviators
Story by Lt. Col. Cain Claxton POZNAN, Poland – V Corps and Poland’s 1st Aviation Brigade conducted their third Polish Apache Initiative Summit Aug. 27-29 at Poland’s Air Force Training Center near Ustka, Poland, and Drawsko Combat Training Center near Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland. Since 2024, Poland and U.S. Army aviators have worked together to establish Poland’s Apache aviation program through a series of meetings called Polish Apache Initiative Summits. After Poland signed a procurement deal for 96 Apaches in 2024, the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade saw an opportunity to help Poland accelerate the integration of the new capability when the...
Learn MoreU.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Launches Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course to Equip Soldiers for Future Warfare
Story by Leslie Herlick FORT RUCKER, Ala. — In a bold move to modernize battlefield capabilities and close critical training gaps, the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE) has launched its inaugural Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course (UALC) at Fort Rucker. Designed to rapidly train soldiers on the lethal employment of small UAS (SUAS), including First Person View (FPV) drone operations. The course lays the foundation for standardized UAS employment across warfighting functions, redefining how small UAS platforms are used in reconnaissance, fires, and maneuver operations. Maj. Wolf Amacker, the chief of the AVCOE Directorate of Training and Doctrine UAS...
Learn MoreMontana Army National Guard Rescues Three Hikers From Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
Story by Cheryl Marino As the battlefield evolves, so must the aircraft that support and protect Soldiers on the ground. The Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) aims to do just that—ushering in a new era of speed, range and adaptability. Backed by cutting-edge digital engineering, FLRAA isn’t just a new rotorcraft, it’s a leap forward in how the Army plans, flies and fights in tomorrow’s conflicts. “It’s a game-changing capability in terms of speed and range,” said Col. Jeffrey Poquette, FLRAA project manager at Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation. He characterized the next-generation tiltrotor assault aircraft (designed...
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