Operation: URGENT FURY Part II: Plan of Action
. . . the marshal observes that the boldest and most extended plans are generally the wisest and most successful. When we are determined upon war, . . . we should carry it on vigorously and without trifling. Napoleon Bonaparte[1] * * * * * President Ronald Reagan sitting in session with members of Congress in discussions with the unfolding situation in Grenada, October 25, 1983. To the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the prospects for success outweighed the hazards. It was only ten years since the United States had incurred its worst political defeat, thus far, in the twentieth century....
Learn MoreLincoln & Lowe
Historical Perspective – Part 1 / By Mark Albertson: Thaddeus Lowe lifted off from Cincinnati, Ohio. This was a trial flight preparatory to a grander effort of aeronautical significance… Europe, via a lighter-than-aircraft across the Atlantic which required a better understanding of the jet streams and how to cope.1 For his test flight, Lowe chose his balloon, Enterprise.2 The 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, supported the idea of aerial observation and reconnaissance in the Union Army and, was a supporter of Thaddeus Lowe./ WIKIPEDIA COMMONS PHOTO Lowe’s quest ended prematurely, as he was blown off course, due south, into the Confederacy....
Learn MoreThe Invasion of Grenada — A Modern Version of Siege Warfare
Army Aviation History / By Mark Albertson: The invasion of Grenada was a modern version of siege warfare. Cuban defenders were isolated, with no hope of relief. Reminiscent, in part, of the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific Theater, 1942-1945. The Pacific Theater of operations was emblematic of a naval version of siege warfare; a version of naval warfare certainly possible as the Pacific Fleet rebounded from the drubbing incurred at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. And by 1943, the U.S. Navy was able to neutralize the Imperial Japanese Navy. Garrisons on Japanese island outposts that were bypassed were left...
Learn MoreAirmobility: A New Board on Army Aviation is Fourteen Years Overdue
Army Aviation History / By General Hamilton H. Howze, U.S. Army (Ret.) — Source: Pages 53-56, Army Aviation, Vol. 25, Nos. 8 & 9, Army Aviation Publications, Inc., Westport, Ct., August-September 1977. / Edited By Mark Albertson I have in the recent past, visited both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. In both cases I was much impressed by the appearance of officers and men: Lean, sturdy, smart looking soldiers, alert and neatly uniformed. General Hamilton H. Howze In each case also the division staffs were good enough to brief me on what they considered probable division overseas missions on certain international...
Learn More1965, Ia Drang – Part I: LZ X-Ray
Historical Perspective / By Mark Albertson: Editor’s Note: This is the first of two articles commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Battle of Ia Drang, Vietnam Helicopter of MAJ Bruce Crandall, commander of the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, low over LZ X-Ray. Fifty-five years ago, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) went on the attack. Division commander, MG Harry W.O. Kinnard, ordered COL Thomas W. Brown, commander, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, to send units south of the Ia Drang River, within the shadow of the Chu Pong mountain range. Brown’s units were the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 7th Cavalry Regiment and...
Learn MoreTriumphant Flight: Army Aviation In the Central Region
Guest Editorial, By General J.H. Binford Peay III, Commander-in-Chief, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Edited by Mark Albertson. * * * * *General George S. Patton once declared that you should never attack where the enemy expects you to come. Attack weakness. Hold the enemy by the nose and kick him in the pants.[1] General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, engaged a Union Army superior in numbers, commanded by General Joseph Hooker. Lee audaciously divided his smaller army and with the use of the indirect approach, as alluded to by General...
Learn More1970 – Aviators on their way to Higher Learning
Army Aviators to Attend National War College (All are Lieutenant Colonels, unless otherwise noted.) Allen, James R.Bunyard, Jerry M.Chritton, William R.Mullen, Jack L.Robertson, Victor M.Stevens, Story C. (P)Wooley, Wilson C. Army Aviators to Attend the Industrial College for the Armed Forces(All are Lieutenant Colonels, unless otherwise noted.) Descoteau, RudolphIslin, John A.Morris, John J.Rathbone, William A.Sergeant, Wayne B. (P)Teague, Jerry I. (P)Toner, Francis J. Source: Pages 11 and 12, Army Aviation, Vol. 19, No. 12, Army Aviation Publications, Inc., Westport, Ct., December 15, 1970.
Learn More1996 – Tinsley Becomes Elder Statesman of Aviation
The National Aeronautic Association announced, on 22 August 1996, that Jean Kaye Tinsley had been selected as an Elder Statesman of Aviation. Tinsley began her aviation career in San Francisco, California during the mid-1940s, and has served the industry in the capacity of Applications Engineer and as technical editor and writer on all types of manuals and for operation and maintenance overhaul and field instruction as well as many types of brochures. The FAA has designated her as a Written Test Examiner and an Accident Prevention Counselor. In 1965, she attended the annual convention of the “Whirley Girls” and then...
Learn MoreThe Korean War – Part III: Fixed Wing
Historical Perspective / By Mark Albertson: Editor’s Note: This is the third and final article commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War. ALL PHOTOS AAPI FILE PHOTO V-J-Day, September 2, 1945, the Air OPs boasted 2,630 pilots, 2,252 mechanics and 1,600 aircraft. Before the year was out, only 200 aircraft remained. The Air Observation Post was not only facing irrelevance, but outright extinction. Yet with the National Defense Act of 1947, the United States Army Air Forces became the United States Air Force. It was imperative, then, that the Ground Forces have a capability – no matter how rudimentary...
Learn MoreTurbine-Powered HOK
Army Aviation History / May 1957: Since September 28, 1956, Kaman Aircraft has been operating a new gas turbine-powered version of its successful HOK type helicopter. Utilizing the Lycoming T-53 gas turbine in place of the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 piston engine presently installed in the HOK helicopters, Kaman looks upon the turbine-powered HOK as an “in being” helicopter as it is basically a standard HOK adapted to gas turbine power. Turbine-Powered HOK The T-53 turbine-powered HOK features greatly increased cabin area (see fig. 1) higher performance, and a wider range of utility applications (see figures 2, 3 and 4). These...
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