Avoiding Traffic Congestion
During World War II, one of the biggest boosters of Army Aviation was General Mark Clark; to the extent of frequently flying about in Cubs, or as he referred to them, “Puddle Jumpers.” On October 4, 1943, General Clark needed to get to Naples. Road congestion urged him to forego a ride in a Jeep; instead, he flew to the Italian port in a Cub. His pilot, Captain Eugene P. Gillespie, over flew Naples’ airport. Gillespie, though, could not land, since the runway needed to be cleared of mines. Astonished Neapolitans watched Captain Gillespie land Clark’s L-4 on the Boulevard...
Learn MoreFirst Flight
July 16, 1965, the new North American OV-10A lifted off for flight trials. An evaluation panel, including Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine test pilots, was slated to put the Bronco through its paces. Projected missions for the light, multi-purpose, counter-insurgency aircraft included visual and photo reconnaissance, helicopter escort, close air support, liaison duties and transport for personnel and light cargo. The first production contracts were consummated in October 1966, with deliveries beginning in early 1968. The Air Force procured 152 OV-10As for forward air control and ground support duties. The Marine Corps accepted 96 aircraft, of which 18 were...
Learn MoreRecord Lift
Three platoons of combat-equipped troops form at a staging area at Fort Bragg, N.C., prior to boarding an Army CH-54A Skycrane for an airlift record on April 29. The 90-man lift (87 troops plus a flight crew of three) was the largest number of persons ever transported at one time by a helicopter. The largest previously known lift was 70 paratroopers reported hoisted in a Russian MI-6 helicopter.
Learn MoreMilestone
August 14, Mesa, Arizona: A special ceremony was convened by McDonnel Douglas to commemorate a landmark for the world’s ranking multi-role helicopter. The 600th AH-64 Apache rolled off the production lines. And there is more to come, as the Apache—like any other weapons system—continues to evolve. In August 1989, McDonnel Douglas received a contract amounting to $194.5 million. These monies will see to the conversion of four AH-64s into the LONGBOW type. Present production schedules call for the modification of 227 Apaches into the LONGBOW configuration, with deliveries set to commence in 1994.
Learn MoreNew Heights
Major T.J. Clark (right) and CWO Ulysses V. Brown set three altitude records with the U.S. Army CH-54A Flying Crane at the Stratford, Ct. plant of the Sikorsky Aircraft Division on April 24. Clark and Brown attained heights of 21,500, 27,550 and 29,300 feet respectively, with loads at 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 kilograms respectively.
Learn MoreFaces in the News
BG Robert R. Williams, Assistant Division Commander of 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, will be reassigned. On or about June 5, BG Williams will be on his way to Korea. He will assume the duties of Assistant Division Commander of 1st Cavalry Division. Prior to his 2nd Division assignment, General Williams served as commander of the U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Group involved in testing the 11th AAD.
Learn MoreMockup
At the recent AAAA Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., the Boeing Sikorsky full-scale mockup of the proposed armed reconnaissance /light attack/air combat aircraft for the U.S. Army was unveiled. The mockup served as an engineering tool in continuing MANPRINT studies.
Learn MoreOrganic Army Aviation!
On June 6, 1942 the United States War Department sent a memorandum to the commanding general of Army Ground Forces authorizing organic air observation for the Field Artillery. Thus began the love affair between ground forces and the unique and essential support they receive from Army Aviation. From this humble beginning through to present day, Army Aviation has been and continues to be an indispensable combat multiplier and maneuver element commanders at all echelons demand to ensure mission success. From observation, to medical evacuation, to resupply, to air assault, to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, to homeland security, to disaster relief,...
Learn MoreBriefings
On October 30, 1989, members of the 4th Iron Eagle Brigade, 1st Armored Division, stationed at Ansbach Army Heliport, Katterbach, West Germany, gathered to commemorate their marvelous aviation safety record. The Iron Eagles have not had a Class A mishap (loss of life or serious aircraft damage) since September 1982. Since that time, the Iron Eagles have logged 150,000 flying hours.
Learn MorePriorities for the ‘90s
The Honorable Michael P.W. Stone, Secretary of the Army, gave a keynote address at the 1990 AAAA Annual Convention in Orlando, FL. Mr. Stone urged Americans not to be swayed by changes occurring in Europe, and that the Army needed to maintain its modernization program with the following: 1) The Air Defense Anti-Tank System (ADATS) must be preserved in the budget. 2) A new man-portable anti-tank weapon is required. 3) Upgrade of our armor and heavy weapons programs in the face of the persistent threat of Soviet armor. 4) Modernization of the Army’s aviation program; which includes a modernization of...
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